Donald "Don" Goecke

Donald “Don” Goecke, 75, of Nevada, Iowa, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Monday, August 12, 2024, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Services for Don will take place on Saturday, August 24 at 11:00 A.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown with Pastor Terry Collins officiating. He will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in State Center. Friends and family are also invited to attend a visitation on Friday, August 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. For questions or condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Don was born May 14, 1949 in Marshalltown, Iowa to parents Raymond and Marian (Plummer) Goecke. He grew up on a farm in the Lamoille area, attending Lamoille Congregational Church and enjoying the small-town life. Here he met a girl named Roxanne Hartwig, who asked him to the Sadie Hawkins dance when they were just 14 and 16 years old. After graduating from West Marshall High School in 1967, Don attended Marshalltown Community College. He then proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

Don married his high school sweetheart, Roxanne, on June 6, 1970, and they have been inseparable ever since. A true gentleman, he adored his wife, “Rox” and truly enjoyed taking care of her in every way. Providing for his family was important, and he dedicated over 30 years at Hach Company in Ames before his retirement. Don was active in 4H and the Athletic Boosters club. He loved to travel, especially enjoying his work training trips to Ireland and Mexico. He was also an avid golfer, who enjoyed men’s night at Lincoln Valley Golf Course and passed that love onto his grandkids by teaching them to golf.

After his cancer diagnosis, Don refused to let it get the best of him. Instead he focused on living and continuing to do the things he loved. He kept himself busy by tending his flower gardens, mowing the lawn, tinkering in the garage and helping people whenever he had a chance. His positive outlook, quick wit and light-hearted, goofy personality made such an impact on everyone he encountered. Even in his final days, the nurses and doctors endearingly referred to him as “trouble” and had no problem taking his jokes and throwing them right back. When recently asked what the most important thing in life was, Don quickly replied “it’s all about family.” His family truly knew how much he loved and supported them. He made sure to never miss a single sporting event or activity of his kids and grandkids, even into his final months. Don’s infectious positivity will be deeply missed by all those who were blessed to know him. His final selfless act was donating his eyes for research through the Iowa Donor Network.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 54 years, Roxanne; his children: Scott (Hillary) Goecke of Montverde, FL and Heather (Tim) Stanley of Melbourne, IA; six grandchildren: Emma, Avery, Jake, Oli, Sid, and Sam; his siblings: Larry (Yvonne) Goecke, Bev (Bruce) Thomas and Ann Goecke; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Tim (Darlene Thomas) Benson, Rod (Sherry) Benson, Becky (Kevin) Whitaker, Tammy (Jay) Flora, Jay (Nan) Benson and Brian Benson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In eternal life, Don was reunited with his parents Raymond and Marian Goecke and in-laws Corporal Ross Hartwig and Greta and Jim Benson.