Bradley Leonard Goertzen was born November 1st, 1961 to loving and devoted parents Leonard and Nadine Goertzen in Pocatello, Idaho. He considered himself lucky to grow up not only with his two siblings, but also with all of his cousins. In his early years he developed a love for anything to do with cars, football, and the ladies; while making his best and lifelong friends at Highland High - Go Rams!
After graduating high school in 1980, at 19 Dad served a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Montevideo, Uruguay. It was here he learned and fell in love with the Spanish language, which he spoke fluently for the rest of his life. He made many wonderful friends there and always longed for the day he could return.
Upon returning from Uruguay, he started dating and married Tracy Stoddard in 1985. Over the next 14 years they welcomed 5 beautiful children into this world- and he always said we were his biggest pride and joy. Our family moved to Utah in 1991, which became home-base. However, after working for the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee in 2002 (one of his proudest career achievements), it opened the door for a move to Florida in 2003. This provided him an opportunity to attend and work many professional sporting and musical events- including a few Tampa Bay Buccaneer games and NY Yankee Spring Training games with the family. No matter where Brad worked or travelled, he would strike up a conversation and make friends along the way.
Upon returning to Utah, Brad and Tracy parted ways while maintaining a friendly and amicable relationship for the family. He made every effort to remain present in his children’s lives. He was at every little league sporting event, choir concert, theatre performance we participated in - cheering and whistling the loudest. Brad also enjoyed participating in local choirs, and musical theatre productions with his family, gravitating to the comedic roles where he could make people laugh. Laughter was his favorite. His love of music was passed down through all of us kids, instilling a love for classic rock and 70s Funk.
Dad met Lynette Cartwright in 2013- and over the years their friendship grew into a beautiful relationship. They shared a love of grilling, motorcycles, concerts, and spending time with friends. They were married in October, 2020 at a close-knit ceremony & celebration with their families and closest friends, which included a rousing round of karaoke for all! Brad loved Lynette’s family as his own, and was grateful to have bonus kids and grandkids to spoil. They also added their fur-baby, Abby (a goldendoodle) to the bunch this year.
He was taken from us too soon- but we are grateful that Dad was spending time with one of his dearest friends, doing something he loved greatly. We were super blessed to have him in our lives- and he leaves behind a memory of good food, good music, good times, and lots of laughter.
Brad was preceded in death by his daughter, Sara Goertzen. He is survived by his wife, Lynette Cartwright; parents, Leonard & Nadine Goertzen; sister, Kathie Jo Rounds (Rod); brother, Darin Goertzen; and children, Meg Geertsen (John), Nick Goertzen, Melissa Davidson (Brandon), and Porter Goertzen. He is also survived by his step-children and grandchildren.
A visitation will be held Friday, September 10 at the Sego Lilly Ward from 8 am to 9:45 am at 9824 Flint Drive in Sandy, UT. Funeral services will follow at the same location at 10 am. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Pocatello, ID. A motorcycle escort with lead the procession to the cemetery.
Services were previously recorded and can be viewed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/Ghak5-HbOfy0dWVIVYn2qLSu1HleRqqMi873aNwu4Aa9D_ykIQjaV2KqxW6M4DIy.wog__lvm38W7BaSt?startTime=1631287904000
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the family to help with expenses: https://gofund.me/7939d15a.
Lynette and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Many prayers of comfort during this difficult time.
Lynette, Maggie, Nick, Melissa, and Porter...
I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. I know how much he loved each of you, and how he would do anything he could for you. Sending love and light during this time of grief, that you may be able to focus on the positive memories and his love!
Sincerely
Trina Knapp
I was so sorry to hear of Brads passing, we did not get to spend much time together being 2nd cousins in this enormous family, but I have fond memories of spending time at their family home with Brads incredible parents Uncle Leaonard and Aunt Nadine, I was glad to connect with him on facebook and he would give me heck about the New England Patriots. My sincere condolences to Brads lovely wife and children.
Dearest wishes for peace during this sad & tender time.
Brad was one of my first crushes in Junior High - I’ll always remember the fun we had riding bikes & hanging out. We remained friends in high school, I always appreciated his laughter & charm during those years. Embrace his memory & remember he will always be close-watching over all of you 💓inspiring you to live your best life.
So very sorry to hear of his passing. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Farewell my dear Wingman.
We may have only spent two years together in each others company, but heck, didn't we have some fun buddy. From Phoenix to San Diego, to Tampa, that wonderful night at Tootsie's in Nashville and of course at our second home at Timpano's in Orlando where you devoured your beloved mussels while I knocked back the Budweiser.
We were polar opposites, but somehow we connected and gelled together seamlessly. Me the brash, confident, cocky, beer drinking Aussie and you the non alcoholic drinking, deeply religious, gentle kind man with a big smile, big laugh and even bigger heart. Who'd have thought hey buddy?
I loved our ongoing debates throughout the years about Vegemite, all things gun control, U.S. politics, Aussie Rules versus American Football and of course our mutual admiration for Jingling Joe.
I am glad that we remained friends and stayed in contact over many years and you have significantly value-added to my life. For now I'll miss you, but as we always promised, we'll see each other again one day. Farewell good buddy.
My deepest condolences to Lynnette, Tracey, Maggie, Nick, Melissa and Porter.
Your Rabbit's Foot,
Peter Cruskall.
Melbourne, Australia.
Sending love to his parents, brother and sister and children.
To the Goertzen Family,
There are no words to say how sorry we are for your loss. Brad was a wonderful man that not only shared laughter, but created happiness, an amazing ability, especially in today’s world. There have been times in my life when I needed something to make me smile. Many times, my mind wondered back to the days I spent at Highland with a wild and crazy guy name Brad. From sharing responsibility as a linebacker with him and remembering our “loving” Coach Neal express his feelings about our mistakes, with a “damn it Goertzen” and then a jump to smack him on top of his head (yes, coach Neal was a small man), to his imitations of Steve Martin. My most special memory is of an after-dance trip to JBs, where many of us were sitting around eating and laughing. I don’t remember what Brad said, but it made me laugh while drinking my strawberry milkshake. Not a good combination. This caused his date to the dance to wear some of my milk shake (sorry Judy) . An event that Brad reminded me of on many occasions, even the last time we visited in Boise. I was lucky to know Brad as a friend. You were blessed to share his life. All his Facebook posts showed how happy he was with his beautiful wife Lynette and all his children. As time goes by, I just hope and pray that more of the laughter he created with you comes to mind and you can share that amazing ability he had to create humor.
We will miss you Brad…. Dave and Kathi Manning
Melissa,
You and your family have been in our thoughts and prayers. We love you and are so sorry for your loss.
I'm sending my family a great big bear hug. One like Brad used to give me! Our only satisfaction
is that we will see him again one day. What a family reunion we Goertzen's will have with all the Goertzen's gone before us! Until then, stay prayerful and faithful. Love, Cousin Tammy.
We are shocked and saddened by the news of Brad's passing. What a wonderful man... We have such great memories of time spent with him and Tracy and you kids when you were young when we were blessed to live nearby in Utah. May you know that we join the many, many people who thought the world of him. We send you our deepest condolences in this time of pain and loss. May you feel God's loving arms around you.
Uncle Lenard and Aunt Nadine I’m so sorry for your loss my prayers are with you and Brads family. I wish I could be there with you. My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time . Love you all Theresa Soto Goertzen
To Brad's family,
I was deeply saddened to hear about Brad's horrific accident. While I hadn't spoken to Brad in a couple of years, I cherished the time he worked for us as Jan-Pro. I enjoyed the many conversations we had about music and life. He was witty and was able to use his Spanish speaking skills with your Franchise owners. On behalf of the Richter family, our staff and franchise owners of Jan-Pro he touch us in many ways and we will never forget the impact he had on our lives. May God Bless and may he rest in Peace.
I am so unbelievably sorry for your loss. Even though I was in the class of 1983, I knew Brad because of both my brother, Mark Carson, and because of Tracy Stoddard. Losing someone so unexpectedly and suddenly is extremely difficult. I wish that there were words that I could say that would make it easier. All I can say is that he loved riding the motorcycle, so he was doing something he loved-probably singing while he was enjoying the beautiful canyon. Please know that you are all in my heart, my thoughts and my prayers.
Susie and I are so sorry for your loss please accept our heart felt condolence and know your are in our prayers
Dear Goertzen family, I was really sad to hear that Brad had died. I remember him well from the time he was an 11 year old Boy Scout and I was called to be his inept leader! Such a great attitude, sense of humor and a love of life. He was always friendly and kind whenever we met. the smile on his picture here tells it all. He is a great human being and I'm honored to know him. God bless you all as you mourn his death. Kirk Bitton
Hi, Damn, this is very upsetting. to me, so unexpected, I'm still in shock, as I still expect to see him/family at the next reunion. Yes?
I am so sorry for you all, your family, extended. Brad to me, was always such a kind person, good natured in every way, (i donated to a cause that was so important to him) a way that I was never much able to connect with my other high'school classmates. He was always kind to me. Gosh, I'm not sure what else to say, but that I am so sorry. This was not supposed to be like this. Not Brad!. He will be forever loved and missed.