Valera M. Goesling

Valera M. Goesling, age 96, a friendly, kind and gentle soul, passed away on Thursday, January 29th, welcomed into the arms of her Lord Jesus. She was preceded in death by her husband Alfred H. Goesling and four sons; Robert Lee Thorn, Jonnie Thorn, Clifford Thorn and Richard "Stretch" Goesling. She is survived by her daughter, Helen Goesling Duncan of Rio Rancho; brother H.D. (Faith) Garrett of St. George, Utah and sister JoeAnn (Dale) Gantz of Las Cruces, New Mexico; 11 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Valera was born February 20, 1918 in Roscoe, Texas to Morgan and Minnie Garrett along with 11 other siblings. Her youth was spent in Deming, New Mexico where her family moved for irrigation farming. After her and her first husband Bob Thorn divorced, she met and married Alfred Goesling and moved to the Goesling Homestead near St. Johns, Arizona where she lived until 2005. Valera came to know the Lord about this time and raised her children with strong faith and Biblical principles. She was very creative, had a great sense of humor, loved reading, researching family history and photos, singing hymns, playing the piano, was an avid rock hound, enjoyed deer hunting and all those things a rural life affords. The Goesling Bros. raised Registered Hereford Cattle and were blessed by her many years of hard work helping in the ranch operation. Her contributions of genuine love for others especially resonated with her own children who loved her dearly. A service will be held Friday, February 6, 2015 at 1:00pm at FRENCH- Rio Rancho. Burial will take place Saturday, February 7, 2015 in Deming, New Mexico at 1:00pm at Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to International Mission Board, "Lottie Moon Offering", PO Box 6767, Richmond, VA, 23230-0767 (imb.org.) Please visit our online guestbook for Valera at FRENCH - Rio Rancho 1950 Pine Rd NE Rio Rancho, NM 87144 (505)338-2000