Obituary of Lavern Joseph Goedken

LUXEMBURG, IOWA

Lavern J. Goedken, 80, of Luxemburg passed away Sunday, November 1, 2020, at MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg with burial in the church cemetery.  Military Hhonors will be accorded by American Legion Post 137.  Rev. Noah Diehm will officiate. Masks are required and social distancing should be observed. This will air on Facebook Live at Kramer Funeral Home.

Lavern was born March 9, 1940, near Petersburg the son of William and Calista (Klaus) Goedken.  He married Patsy Bockenstedt on July 28, 1965, in Petersburg.  He was primarily employed as a laborer for several local companies in Dubuque and Clayton Counties, most recently at Lumber Specialties in Dyersville.  He loved and collected Cub Cadet and International Harvester tractors, enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, splitting firewood, road trips with Patsy, playing cards and camping.  He was very proud to have received his quilt of valor last November on Veteran’s day.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Patsy; children: Dan Goedken of Holy Cross, Lynn Steger of Dyersville, Ron Goedken of New Vienna and Larry (Steph) Goedken of Guttenberg, Jill (Chris) Kramer of Dyersville, Jody (Bob) Lawrence of Manchester; nine grandchildren: Leah, Nate (Brittani), Erin Steger, Madison and William Goedken, Kyle and Caden Kramer, David and Kalista Lawrence; two great grandchildren: Kesler and Zane Fousek; siblings: Norma Brusman of Dyersville, Inez Hermsen and Valeria Bockenstedt both of Manchester, Carol (Dale) Clemen of Dubuque; in-laws: Germaine Goedken of Dubuque, Marilyn Goedken of Petersburg, Janet Rolfes of Osage, Janice (Virgil) Bries of Luxemburg, Alma Bockenstedt of Edgewood, George (Barb) Bockenstedt of Toddville, LouAnn Weber (friend Rich) of Cedar Rapids, and Nancy (Neil) Henkenius of Manchester.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Karen in infancy and Karla, two grandchildren: Nick Kramer and Karley Lawrence; siblings: John Goedken, Gilbert Goedken, Helen (Emil) Wilgenbusch, Stella (Leo) Demmer, Mary Lou (Elmer) Engelken, Patricia (Marvin) Rolfes; in-laws: Francis Hermsen, Irvin Bockestedt, Vernon Brunsman, Tom Weber and Henry Bockenstedt.

Cards, letters and memorials may be mailed to the family in care of Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, Iowa 52040-1816.