Maple Grove is graced with beautiful yards; glorious gardens and gorgeous landscapes are not uncommon. However, the beauty and peace in Lester Goetzke’s yard is beyond compare.
Goetzke spied his first acquisition in Albuquerque—a life-size bronze entitled, ‘Tea for Two’. It depicts a small girl perched on a bench, one leg tucked under her, as she tends a miniature tea set. Drinking from a second cup is her guest, a kitten. The piece came to him in the 80s and welcomes him home each day, alight on the front porch. “When I see a good piece of art, then I’m interested in the thought process behind it,” he says. Many of his sculptures contain children and carry a theme of, ‘school’s out,’ or “What kids do during the summer,” he explains.
Goetzke’s property contains 17 different life-size bronze pieces. His favorite is ‘The Good Book’, in which a grandmother reads to her grandchildren from the bible. Inside the book is a relief of Noah's Ark with the animals coming two by two. It’s a stunning piece of realism that radiates love, sculpted by Colorado artist Mark Lundeen. It sits amongst groupings of animals, children at play, women dancing, an angel, the American flag, and a woodland faerie. He waxes each periodically to protect them from discoloration by falling leaves and chemicals in the air.
The bronze alone is worth a fair chunk of change, so each piece is secured to its pedestal. When a group of neighborhood boys eyed the collection suspiciously, Goetzke called them into the yard and explained the history and meaning of each piece. He soon converted potential vandals into hard-core adherents. In fact, if you happen to linger on the lawn when Goetzke isn’t home, you’re likely to find a friendly officer-of-the-law visiting you in response to a call from a protective neighbor.
He works in manufacturing and fabrication, and although he is not a sculptor by trade, Goetzke is a master at creating things. A successful businessman, he’s as proud of the creations in his shop as the artwork that decorates it. His business takes him around the world, and art finds its way home him from every country imaginable. Because he works with raw materials, he understands the alchemy of an idea transformed into reality.
“I look for artwork that draws you in,” he says. “When I see a piece I’m interested in, I take a picture of it and think through where it will fit.” His purchases are as careful as his attitude. “It takes about a year to buy a piece — talking back and forth over the phone,” he says.
It’s clear that this man knows how to create relationships and how to drive a hard bargain. But Goetzke is also a master at creating inspiration. “He spends more time thinking about how he can help others than anyone I know. And then he goes out and does something about it,” says long-time friend Dan Basel.
Goetzke’s love for art extends to a love for the artist. He collects work from established artisans and commissions aspiring artists, and always seems to become good friends of artists and their families. “When they’re in town, my house is always open to them and their house is open to me … we have fun,” he remarks. “He is a compassionate, caring, humble, Christian man that relishes in seeing others succeed!” says Art Westphal, Director of Advancement at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato.
Goetzke puts his actions where his heart is. His collection will ultimately go to Bethany Lutheran College, where he’s had a history of making a difference. “This will certainly be the largest collection of art we have ever received,” assures Westphal. With approximately 55 bronze sculptures and over 500 paintings and statuettes, including a Chagall and two Dali’s, Western art by Remington and Russell, countless pieces by nationally known, local artist Mario Fernandez and one-of-a-kind prints, the gift will not only be large, it will be quite valuable.
So why does a man who loves art, who spends precious time and money collecting it, plan to give it all away? “We have to get more art into our communities,” he says. “We have to learn how to relax. There’s so much anger out there. Good art should distract you from your thoughts.”
Goetzke is on a quest to help others discover the kind of rest and awe that he finds every day. “I appreciate his love for art and how he values what art can do to sooth the inner man,” reflects Basel. Even now, as he continues to support aspiring artists, educate neighborhood kids or simply spend a crisp, fall afternoon in the backyard, Lester Goetzke is doing what comes naturally—living with art that can touch the soul and, perhaps, change the world.
