Shirley Goecke

Shirley E. Goecke, 89, of Marshalltown, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2016 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa. Funeral services for Shirley will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 1, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. also at the funeral home. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Shirley and her family. For more information, or to send condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Memorials may be directed to the Lamoille Congregational Church. Shirley Jones was born on August 3, 1926 in Marshalltown to Carl and Pearl Barker Jones. On May 11, 1946, Shirley was united in marriage to Calvin Goecke in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Calvin and Shirley lived on the farm near State Center. Later Shirley and Calvin moved to Marshalltown where they lived for many years while enjoying their retirement. She was a member of the Lamoille Congregational Church where she played the organ and piano. Shirley was a founding member of Tuesday Nighters, a womens card and social club. Shirley loved to write poetry and compose lyrics to popular songs. Among the many favorite lyrics she composed were those for her grandchildren. Shirley was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling. Some of her favorite trips were to Europe, Mexico, and many parts of the United States while visiting family and friends. Shirleys quick wit and sassiness were the hallmark of her personality and will be missed by all who knew her. Shirley graduated from Marshalltown High School and Central Iowa Business College. She worked for the Marshall County Attorneys Offices, Iowa Valley Community College in the administrative offices, and the Production Credit Association. Shirley worked for 20 years at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center in the administrative offices. She later volunteered there after her retirement. Shirley and her husband Calvin farmed for many years in Marshall County and also enjoyed attending numerous cattle shows while watching their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participate. Shirley is survived by her children: Kendra (Kirk) Graves of San Antonio, Texas, Deb Ewoldt of Marshalltown, Jeff (Nancy) Goecke of State Center and Lisa (Bryan) Sievers of Stockton, Iowa. Grandchildren: Kelly Graves, Jamie Thomas, Jennifer Knock, Cory Ewoldt, Brett Goecke, Jessica Houseal, Jamie Youker, Meghan Cone, Jon Sievers and Jenna Lueth. Great grandchildren: Alexa, Ella, Leah, Sophia, Kade, Grace, Jarrin, Laurin, TJ, Matthew, Owen, Carsten and Noah. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and Dan Barker, whom she and Calvin provided a home to while his father served in Vietnam. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Calvin, parents Carl and Pearl Jones, her brother Norman Jones, and grandson Nathan Goecke.