Goulson family finds support overwhelming

“Overwhelming” is how the Goulson family of New Prague felt on Friday, Jan. 25, as more than 450 people attended a fundraiser at Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course near Jordan. The fundraiser was to show support and help the family with expenses not covered by insurance as mom Diane Goulson undergoes chemotherapy and surgery for pancreatic cancer. The evening featured a pasta bar, live music, a silent auction and a raffle.

“It is overwhelming, plain and simple,” said Diane Goulson, a longtime New Prague resident and pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church near Belle Plaine. “I’m very humbled. To me this is a great celebration of life.”

She was diagnosed in November with the disease and has been getting support from her family, husband Daryl and daughters Meredith, Rebecca and Erica, plus people from her church, friends and people from the surrounding communities.

“It just proves how many lives she’s touched,” said Daryl Goulson. He noted there was a couple attending, whose wedding she performed 10 years ago. “She just strikes the right cord with people. It shows you how much she’s loved and how we have a really big extended family.”

The dining room at Ridges was packed with people, while the room had photos of Diane Goulson and her family. There were also pictures of her baptizing children and other duties at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

“It’s really overwhelming,” said Erica Goulson. “I knew she had....

To see more on this story pick up the January 31, 2019 print edition of The New Prague Times.