Theodore Goeke

Theodore R. "Ted" Goeke, age 84, of Elmore, died Saturday, April 2, 2011, at Timely Mission Nursing Home, Buffalo Center, Iowa. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at 11:00 AM, at Elmore United Methodist Church, with Rev. Lois Able officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Elmore at a later date. Visitation time will be one hour prior to services at the church. Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Blue Earth is assisting the family with the arrangements. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com Expressions of sympathy are preferred in the form of memorial donations to the charity of the donor''s choice.Ted was born July 4, 1926, on his family''s farm in Kossuth County, Iowa, the son of Henry and Gertrude (Haas) Goeke. He was lifetime Elmore resident, graduating from Elmore High School in 1944. He was married to Elaine P. Evans on May 22, 1946 in Blue Earth, MN. Ted farmed all his life where he began milking cows in 1953, and continued until 1989. He loved the farm but also enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., Canada and even Europe in the last 30 years or so. He was baptized, confirmed and was a lifetime member of Elmore United Methodist Church where he was an active member of the Administrative Board and was chairman of the Trustees, Finance Committee and Administrative Council through the years. Ted also enjoyed woodworking and made several fine furniture pieces.Theodore "Ted" Goeke is survived by his wife, Elaine Goeke of Elmore, his son, David Goeke (& special friend Kim Volz) Goeke of Elmore, his daughter, Linda Giese (& special friend Jerry Roberts) of Mason City, Iowa, his daughter, Cynthia Kockler of Mason City, Iowa his sister, Ella Mae Ingebritson of Elmore, his daughter in law, Peggy Goeke of Fairmont, seven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Mark Goeke, brother-in-law, Joseph Ingebritson and son-in-law, Jim Giese.