Melvin William Goecke

July 24, 1925 - January 27, 2010

Melvin William, son of Frank and Elizabeth (Eilers) Goecke was born on July 24, 1925 in Carroll, Iowa. He was raised in the Carroll area and attended Carroll Schools. Melvin then began working for Wernimont’s Service and Construction in Carroll and later worked hauling cattle. In 1943 He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served building bridges and roads in Japan and the Philippines during World War II.

After his discharge in 1946 he returned to Carroll and was united in marriage with Mary Lou Schleisman in 1948. The couple then moved to a farm east of Spirit Lake. In 1965, Mary Lou died in a traffic accident and Melvin moved back to Carroll. There he began working with his father and brother Jerry at Goecke Earth Moving. On February 17, 1967 Melvin was united in marriage with Ann Laura Stricker in Spirit Lake.

Melvin moved to Audubon in 1972, where he farmed until 1986, when a machinery accident took his right arm. After his retirement, Melvin continued to help his son and son-in-law on their farms. Melvin enjoyed working hard through out his life and in his retirement, he loved spending time with grandchildren, playing cards and checkers and puzzles. Melvin also loved riding horses as well as working cattle with them.

After the death of his wife, Ann, in 2005, Melvin moved to Westwood Knolls in Carroll. In January 2010 he became ill and became a resident of the Carroll Health Center Nursing Home. Melvin died there on January 27, 2010 at the age of 84 years, 6 months and 3 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary Lou and wife Ann; a sister Bonnie and husband Cliff Lyman; brothers: Jerry Goecke and an infant brother and a son-in-law Rick Spies.

Melvin is survived by his children: Karla Goecke of Des Moines; Peggy Goecke of Carroll; Doug Goecke and wife Toni of Harlan; Jim Goecke and wife Kim of Audubon and Laura and husband Dan Miller of Maxwell; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; a brother Floyd Goecke and wife Jane of Omaha; sisters Doris and husband Jerry Broich of Carroll and Mary Gute of Eugene, OR; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Celebrant
REVEREND TIMOTHY JOHNSON


Gift Bearers
BRITTANY SPIES
BRIANNA GOECKE

Music
HOLY SPIRIT CHOIR
BARB MCDERMOTT, ORGANIST

Casket Bearers
DUSTIN GOECKE
MICHAEL GOECKE
DOUG BROICH
RICK BROICH
RON BROICH
JOEL PORSCH

Honorary Casket Bearers
BRYAN SVOBODA
TOM CHRISTENSEN
PAUL CAMPBELL
ROBERT NIELSEN

Facts

Born: July 24, 1925
Death: January 27, 2010
Place of Death: Carroll Health Center
Occupation: Farmer

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Services

Visitation and Prayers

Friday January 29, 2010, After - 3:00 PM at Ohde Twit Funeral Home
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Rosary 3:30 PM ~ Vigil Service 7:00 PM. Visitation will resume at 9:00 AM Saturday at Holy Spirit Church

Mass of Christian Burial

Saturday January 30, 2010, 10:30 - AM at Holy Spirit Church
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Interment with Military Honors at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Carroll