'Pepper' Goracke was librarian at Piux X

DOWNEY - Philomine Ursula "Pepper" Timko Goracke, a former longtime librarian for St. Matthias High School in Downey, died Feb. 4 at her home in Grants Pass, Ore.The youngest of nine children, she was born Oct. 11, 1920 in Garrison N.D. to John and Anna Timko. She graduated from Lakefield High School in Lakefield, Minn. in 1936. She married Conrad Goracke on May 26, 1945 in Los Angeles. They remained married until Conrad's death in 1998. For nine years, Philomine Goracke was a librarian at Hollydale Public Library in South Gate. She later was a librarian for 17 years at St. Matthias High School (then known as Piux X High School) in Downey. She and her husband moved to Grants Pass in 1980. In Grants Pass, she volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul for 20 years. She also volunteered at St. Anne Catholic School and was a member of the St. Anne Altar Society and Ladies of St. Anne. She is survived by a son, Mark Goracke; daughter, Anne Guevara; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. A recitation of the rosary was held last week at Chapel of the Valley-L.B. Hall Funeral Home. A memorial service was held at St. Anne Catholic Church, with Monsignor Gregory Moys officiating. Private inurnment was at Hillcrest Memorial Park. ********** Published: February 13, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 43