Jerry Lee Cornelsen

Goodwell, Oklahoma - Jerry Lee Cornelsen, 79, lifelong area resident, passed away Friday night, January 4, 2013 at his home in Goodwell.

The son of Lydia Heimsoth and Hugo Cornelsen, Jerry was born at the Heimsoth farm, North of Guymon in Texas County. Jerry attended Texhoma schools, where he played all sports, then went on to Panhandle A&M, Goodwell and played on the Aggie football team. He met Mary Strong at Panhandle A&M and he and Mary were united in marriage on July 18, 1954 in Goodwell. Jerry farmed and ranched and worked for ANR Pipeline Company for many years.

Jerry and Mary raised their children, supported their community and were devoted to their church. Jerry was a longtime and faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Texhoma. The Cornelsens were supporters of Panhandle State University and were honored lifetime members of the OPSU Alumni Foundation. Jerry took up golf in his 40s and was an avid competitor. Jerry and Mary were helpful in forming the Hilltoppers Senior Citizens group in Goodwell, where Jerry enjoyed dominoes, fellowship, and friends.

Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Mary Cornelsen; three daughters, Connie and husband, John Ratliff of Amarillo, TX; Karen and husband, Bill Heizer of Enid, OK; and Janie and husband, David Steele of Dalhart, TX; one son, Jerry Don Cornelsen and wife, Dawn of Yukon, OK; a sister, Lucille and husband, Buster Spradling of Mooreland, OK. Jerry was blessed with nine grandchildren and their spouses, Jeremiah and Charity Heizer, Kendra and Eric Michael, Mindy and Brandon Jones, Bethany and Trent Lankford, Holly and Mike McFadden, Natalie and Blake Henchcliffe, Cammie and Brian Foreman, Kelsey Cornelsen and Abbie Steele; and 10, soon to be 11 great grandchildren, Kemper, Kelson and Laney Jones, Hannon and Mason Lankford, Lydia and Gunner Michael, Vander and Caleb McFadden, and Saige Heizer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Paul Cornelsen.

Funeral services will be Tuesday morning, January 8th, 10:00 A.M. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Texhoma, Oklahoma with Pastor John Wackler officiating. Burial will follow in Goodwell Cemetery under the care of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon.

Memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Guymon Home Health & Hospice, c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.