Elmer Goecke

Elmer Leroy Goecke, 94, of Marshalltown, died Monday, October 12, 2009, at his home while under the care of Iowa River Hospice.Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 17, 2009, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Burial will be in the Marietta Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to Hartland Community Church or Iowa River Hospice of Marshalltown. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Elmer and his family. Ph. 641-844-1234. Elmer was born January 30, 1915, at home in rural Marshall County, the son of Albert and Beulah (Dewhurst) Goecke. He attended and graduated from Clemons High School. Elmer married Helen Lander at her parents home in rural Marshalltown on August 29, 1937, and lived on the farm until 1990 when they moved to Marshalltown. Elmer was a farmer who loved the land he worked and had been a life long member of the Hartland Community Church, on the ASCS County Committee, a Farm Bureau member, and belonged to the Marshalltown Evening Lions club as well as volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Elmer enjoyed fishing - but his first love was his family and found time to take grandchildren fishing. He will be fondly remembered for his teasing, warm personality and quick wit. Left to cherish his memory is his son Paul(Alta) Goecke of Marshalltown; son-in-law Tom Nichols of Hartford, Connecticut; nine grandchildren; Todd, Randy, Ryan and Robb Goecke, Kristin Bolus, Jeff, Scott, and Troy Nichols and Karen Reeves; 23 great-grandchildren; and his sister Betty Knoll of Colorado Springs, Colorado. In death, Elmer has joined his parents, Albert and Beulah Goecke, his loving wife of 71 years - Helen, a daughter Judy Nichols, and a sister Leona Fiscus.