Jutta Goodrich

Jutta Goodrich of Litchfield, Minnesota, passed away on September 25, 2026, in Litchfield at the age of 91. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 2:30 pm at First Lutheran Church, 703 S Sibley Ave, Litchfield, MN 55355. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Jutta Helgard Erika (Fischer) Goodrich was born on September 11, 1935, in Spandau, Berlin, Germany, and lived a life shaped by faith, perseverance, devotion to family, and a deep appreciation for beauty in God’s creation. Jutta’s early years were marked by the upheaval of World War II. Even in those difficult circumstances, her family remained determined that she would receive an education. She began school in Falkensee for four years, then continued in Sellenstedt and Adenstedt. She later attended boarding school at Bethel in Bielefeld and then was sent to England to learn English. She then went on to study at King’s College at the University of Cambridge in England where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, a reflection of both her diligence and the determination that had guided her from childhood.

Her professional life began in Germany, where, newly graduated, she worked as an office manager for Frankfurter Bank. She later worked for a radiologist and then for Pan Am. Eventually, her path led her to Litchfield, where she became closely connected with First Lutheran Church, serving there as an office manager from 1962 to 1965. She also worked for KLFD radio station for several years before returning to First Lutheran Church, where she served again from 1981 until 2000. Her work reflected the steady, capable, and faithful spirit that so many came to know and cherish.

Faith was woven through every part of Jutta’s life. She was baptized in Falkensee on November 22, 1936, and confirmed at Bethel on April 2, 1950. She was married in a civil ceremony on November 1, 1961, and in the church on November 2, 1961. Church was truly her life. She poured herself into her congregation, into Hannah Circle, into Bible study, and into fellowship with the women around her. Her faith was not only something she professed, but something she lived daily, shaping her home, her relationships, and the example she set for those she loved.

As much as church meant to her, family was always her first priority. She deeply loved her husband, Lowell, and their marriage stood as a lasting witness to commitment and love. Together they gave their son a model of devotion that remained meaningful throughout his life. Jutta was an amazing mother—kind, strong, and full of warmth. She raised her family in faith, and that faith helped lead her son into ministry. She also carried forward the values instilled in her by her own family: to strive for growth, to overcome adversity, and to meet life’s challenges with courage and resolve.

Jutta also found joy in the simple and beautiful gifts of life. She loved gardening and had a special affection for flowers, especially gladiolas. She delighted in color and in the beauty of the world around her, seeing in it the handiwork of God. She enjoyed quilting, and she treasured the companionship and fellowship of the church women with whom she studied, prayed, and shared life. She was kind by nature, and the humor within her family spoke to the joy she helped nurture there. She knew how to smile, and she helped others do the same.

She is lovingly survived by her husband, Lowell Goodrich; her son, Matthew Goodrich and his wife, Janine, of Roseburg, Oregon; and her grandchildren, Kari Goodrich of Tacoma, Washington, and Lee Goodrich of Bellingham, Washington. She is also survived by her brothers, Dr. med Manfred Fischer and his wife, Hildegard, and Dr. med Friedhelm Fischer and his wife, Gerda; by her sisters, Anja Kockrow and Ute Delling; by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law on her husband’s side, Don and Lois Hudson, and by the many nieces and nephews. Each of them carries forward the memory of her steadfast love, her faith, and the grace with which she lived.

She was preceded in death by her father, Louis “Karl” Heinz Fischer; her mother, Erna Emilie Welhelminie Ahring; her sister, Lisa-Marie Beha; and her brothers-in-law, Bodo Delling, Gary Goodrich, Walter Beha, and Wolfgang Kockrow.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the compassionate staff of Meeker County Hospital, Ecumen Home Health Care, and St. Croix Hospice for the exceptional care and kindness shown to Jutta and the family during this time. They are also deeply grateful to the members of First Lutheran Church their prayers, love, and continued support. Memorials may be made in Jutta’s memory to First Lutheran Church.

Jutta’s life was one of faithfulness, resilience, and love. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion to God, commitment to family, and quiet strength that will continue to inspire all who knew her.