Carl “Mark” Goettsche, 79, died Friday, May 8, 2026, at Wheatridge Park Care Center in Liberal, Kansas. He was born January 18, 1947, in Shattuck, Oklahoma, to Carl Nevel and Polly Anna (Messenger) Goettsche. Mark grew up in Higgins, Texas, where he attended school and graduated from Higgins High School. He later attended Texas Tech University, earning degrees in Accounting and Chemistry, and went on to West Texas State University, where he received his Master’s Degree in Accounting. Mark possessed an extraordinary mind and was known as a mathematical wizard. In his spare time, he enjoyed challenging himself with complex mathematical formulas and problems. He dedicated 35 years of his professional career to Chevron Corporation, where he worked as a Certified Public Accountant and Fraud Examiner. Through his hard work and expertise, he became the Southeast Asia Regional Audit Manager for Chevron-Caltex Petroleum Company. Mark met the love of his life, Rita Collen (Green) Christian, while aboard a Southwest Airlines flight. Mark always enjoyed telling the story of seeing Rita and thinking to himself, “I hope that pretty lady sits by me.” Well, Mark got his wish, and the two were united in marriage on April 28, 1989, in Livermore, California. Because of Mark’s career with Chevron, he and Rita were blessed with opportunities to live around the world, including Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, and Kazakhstan. Upon Mark’s retirement, they returned to their home in Houston, Texas. Throughout his life, Mark greatly enjoyed golfing, even after facing physical challenges resulting from polio he suffered as a young child. In his later years, Mark’s faith was important to him. Mark and Rita were faithful members of First Church in Pearland, Texas. Nine years ago, Mark and Rita moved to Liberal, KS, to be closer to her sister, Gwen Greeson Dunnam, and family as Mark courageously battled dementia and later Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by his wife, Rita Goettsche of Liberal, KS; children, Ginger Collins and husband Griffin of Apex, NC, Nicholas Goettsche and wife Amy of Houston, TX, Marte Christian and wife Tammie of Tulsa, OK, and Holle Martin and husband James of Hanford, CA; a sister, Diane Williams and husband Joe Bob of Willis, TX; grandsons, Kannon Christian, Thomas Goettsche, and Austin Fallas; granddaughters, Shelby Fallas, Riley Collins, Parker Collins, Paige Johnson, Karlee Christian, Nicole Goettsche, and Chloe Goettsche; a great-granddaughter, Paisley Johnson; and a niece, Penny Rodgers. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Bridget Goettsche; and his parents, Carl and Polly Goettsche. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Sublette United Methodist Church with Pastor Tyler Prater officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Weeks Family Funeral Home & Crematory, P.O. Box 1200, Sublette, KS 67877. Condolences may be left online at WeeksFamilyFuneralHome.com