Kirk Goranson

Sept. 5, 1953 – Feb. 24, 2023

Posted

Kirk Goranson, age 69, of Lincoln, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center following complications after a stem cell transplant, which was conducted in October of 2022.

Kirk was born to Kenneth and Geraldine Goranson in Red Oak, Iowa. Going back to his grade school days, he often talked about starting school in a one-room country school and finding ants in his lunchbox at noon. He graduated from Red Oak High School with the Class of 1971. In 1975, he graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with an agribusiness degree.

In 1974, Kirk married Diane Fleming, and to this union, two children were born.

After college, he enjoyed working for Hormel as a production manager in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the late 1970s, Kirk and Diane moved to Fairbury, and Kirk spent most of his working years working for John Deere dealerships in Fairbury, Crete and Seward. He loved his work and most enjoyed traveling the countryside and visiting customers.

While living in Fairbury, he was a member of the Fairbury City Council and First United Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. One of his proudest accomplishments was being a member of the church building committee, which designed, constructed and dedicated a new handicapped accessible church in 1999. While living in Crete, he was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and enjoyed men's breakfasts. Most recently, he was serving as an elder of the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church of Lincoln and co-chair of the steward and budget committee.

Kirk was a passionate Kansas City Chiefs fan, and he attended most home games. He was meticulous about his lawn and loved spending hours working on it and helping with the gardening. After retirement, he was a dedicated member of Madonna Pro-Active, where he enjoyed spending most of his weekday mornings. Kirk’s favorite hobbies included listening to oldies on the radio or watching a black-and-white western on the television. He was in good company with his dog, Chief, and cat, Andy, who brought Kirk so much joy.

Kirk was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Geraldine Goranson; stepmothers, Sheila Goranson and Lillian Stuewe; and grandparents, Harry and Ellen Goranson and Carl and Mila Berg.

Kirk is survived by his wife, Diane; and by his sons, Justin (Cindy) Goranson of Seward, and Wesley (Abbie) Goranson of Omaha. Most precious were his five grandchildren, Mila, Scarlett Baylor, Claire, and Quinn. Other survivors include his brother, Mark (Sue) Goranson of Red Oak, Iowa; sister, Joanie (Al) Pfeifer of Elkhorn; brother-in-law, Morris (Marsha) Fleming of Emerson, Iowa; aunt, Carolyn Quist of Red Oak, Iowa, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

A Celebration of Life will be Wednesday, March 1, at 11 a.m., at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 8300 E Pointe Road, Lincoln, with food and fellowship to follow immediately thereafter.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Madonna Foundation or Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church of Lincoln.  Arrangements by Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home.