Helen Goecke

Helen Goecke, 93, of Marshalltown, died Monday evening, April 21st, at the MMSC. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 25th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Smith of the Hartland Friends Church officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Marietta Cemetery. Friends may call at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph 641-844-1234. Born Helen Lander on January 12, 1915, at her family home near Marshalltown, she was the daughter of Joseph and Emma (Johnson) Lander. She received her education in the area of her birth and graduated from the Albion High School in 1932. On August 29th, 1937, at her parent??s home, she was united in marriage to Elmer Goecke. They farmed in the Hartland Community west of Marshalltown for many years before moving to Marshalltown. Helen was a current and past member of the Hartland Friends Church, the Minerva Ladies Aid, Clemons Progress Club, Hartland Missionary Club, Wittenagemote Club, the Clemons Garden Club, served on the board of the Binford House and 4-H Club. She enjoyed gardening, horses, helping farm and judge flowers at the Marshall County Fair. Remembering Helen are Elmer, her loving husband of 70 years, son Paul (Alta) Goecke of rural 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, 22 great-grandchildren, her sisters: Irene Packer of Marshalltown and Dorothy Freiboth of Dillon as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. In death, Helen has rejoined her parents, daughter Judy Nichols, brothers-in-law Ben Packer and Rodney