Elaine P. Goeke

Elaine Patricia Goeke (Evans) passed away peacefully on February 8, 2023, at MercyOne Medical Center North Iowa.  Funeral services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery in Elmore at a later date.

Elaine was born on December 6, 1924, in Pilot Grove township, Minnesota. She attended the country school and later attended Elmore Community School where she received her diploma. She met the love of her life, Theodore (Ted) Goeke while in high school. Ted and Elaine married on May 22, 1946, at the Sacred Heart Church in Ledyard, IA. After marriage, they moved to the Goeke home farm stead (Ted’s parent's farm that was bought in 1921) south of Elmore, Minnesota. Together, they built their life dairy farming and raising their 4 children, Linda, Cynthia, David, and Mark. Ted and Elaine farmed for over 50 years, and now their son David continues to farm it.

One of Elaine’s favorite past times was enjoying her time on the farm where she raised chickens, had a garden, and took care of the baby dairy calves when they were born. She had a knack for being resourceful, and she enjoyed sewing and making homemade goods. Who could forget her famous pies and cinnamon rolls!? She had a large bowl where she would mix and rise 6 loaves of bread at a time plus a batch of cinnamon rolls to feed the crew.

Elaine had a soft spot for antiquing and an eye for the best treasures. Her family and friends always looked forward to the treasures she would find. Later in life after being semi-retired from the farm, Ted and Elaine traveled the country in their homemade 5^th wheel, and finding produce on their travels was always a prime consideration. They traveled and gathered peaches, apples, pears, and Marionberries from Marion County, Washington, and many more.

Being a devout Catholic, Elaine’s faith life was very important to her. For 30 years Elaine was the facilitator for the Marion women’s prayer group in her home. Elaine understood that one’s faith could never stop growing and truly lived a life as a disciple of Christ.  She lived by example and touched every soul she encountered with her grace and prayers. Her friends and family remember her as their spiritual mom.

Above all, the most important thing to Elaine was her family. For years children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, built memories with her cooking and gathering at family events. They remember the various dogs and cats that she cared for on the farm and her garden and preserves that kept everyone nourished.

Elaine is survived by her two children, Linda Giese (Jerry) of Mason City, IA, and David Goeke (Kim) of Elmore, MN. Grandchildren Lisa Severson of Mason City, IA, Timothy Kockler (Christina) of St. George, UT, Laura Giese of Mason City, IA, James Kockler (Sharon) of Wylie, TX, Rachel Blom (Nate) of Plymouth, MN, Ryan Goeke (Kelly) of Lakeville, MN, and Dana Oslin (Josh) of Mora, MN. Great grandchildren, Alicia Schmitt (Greg) of Nora Springs, IA, Abby Yahnke (Brenden) of Clinton, IA, Kiah Brinkman (Collin) of Charles City, IA, Caitlyn Kockler and Chloe Kockler of St. George, UT, Kaylyn Severson (Cole) of Rudd, IA, Kelby Katcher of Charles City, IA, Jenna Severson of Mason City, IA, Teagan Blom of Plymouth, MN, Joseph Blom of Plymouth, MN, Cole Kockler of St. George, UT, Henry Goeke and Emma Goeke of Lakeville, MN,  Warner Oslin, of Mora, MN, Hadley Goeke of Lakeville, MN, Hendrik Oslin, Quinn Oslin, Collins Oslin, and Kallen Oslin of Mora, MN. Great-great grandchildren Linley Schmitt, Kinlee Schroeder, Chloe Schmitt, Tripp Schroeder, and Everlee Fenton.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Theodore Goeke, her son Mark Goeke, her Daughter Cynthia Kockler, and great-grandson Liam Oslin.