Goertzen to share family folklore at program
Peggy Goertzen, director of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies at Tabor College, will present "Family Folklore: Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins" Monday at the 60+ Learning. As an avid archivist, she will inspire the audience to study their personal genealogy and discover unique family stories.
The session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center Lobby, located on the campus of Tabor College, Hillsboro.
Goertzen, born and raised in Bakersfield, Calif., has served as pastor's wife at Balko, Okla., and now serves in the same capacity at Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church, rural Hillsboro, where her husband Gaylord has served as senior pastor since 1988.
A graduate of Tabor College who has held her current position since 1992, Goertzen also has served as the chairman of the Hillsboro Historical Society for 12 years.
Goertzen's first published book, "A History of the Balko Mennonite Brethren Church," was released in 1981. In 1994, she authored a book on flour milling in Marion County to coincide with the dedication of the Hillsboro Friesen Mill and her third book, "A Miracle of Grace at Ebenfeld," was published in 2001. It chronicles the history of Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church, one of the earliest established churches in Marion County. She also has compiled several books of newspaper extractions for Dallas, Mo., and Marion counties, and written several family histories.
An in-demand speaker not only for Mennonite historical topics but also for her personal testimony illustrated with dolls from her antique collection, Goertzen serves as an adjunct English instructor at Tabor College. She also teaches a "Folklore of Family and Culture" course.
Goertzen and her husband have four married children and six grandchildren.
Older adults are invited to attend. Enrollment is $15 per person a semester, $28 per couple or $4 a session. In an effort to encourage participation, first-time visitors will be admitted free of charge. Registration and discount lunch cards will be available at the door.
For more information, contact Connie Isaac, coordinator, at 620-947-5964.
