Walter George Goeken

Walter Goeken, 88, of Everly, died Saturday, December 1 at home surrounded by his family. The son of the Rev. George and Lydia Tammen Goeken, Walter George Goeken was born January 3, 1924 in Melvin, IA, where his father was a Lutheran pastor. Walt graduated from Melvin High School in 1941, and attended Wartburg College until late 1942, when he joined the U.S. Army. Walt served as a forward observer for the 609 Field Artillary assigned to the 71st Infantry Division in Europe. He was awarded a Purple Heart during his military service. Following his honorable discharge, Walt married Clara Wilken, who he had met at Wartburg College, on May 19, 1946 in Everly. The couple lived in Ames, where Walt studied civil engineering at Iowa State College, before moving to Everly in 1947 to begin farming. Walter was a hard-working and forward-thinking farmer; he was one of the first in the area to use a personal computer in his farming operation, and was convinced (correctly) that he could fix or build almost anything himself. He raised corn, soybeans, cattle and hogs over the years. A past president of the Farmers Cooperative Elevator Board of Everly, Walt also served several terms on the corporate Land O'Lakes Board of Directors. In 1986 he was named a Master Farmer by Wallace's Farmer magazine. Walt was president of the Hope Lutheran Church Board and president of the Everly School Board during major building projects for both entities. He was chairman of the Hope Lutheran Church Endowment Committee from the committee's establishment until his death. A long-time member of the Everly American Legion post, Walt shared his experiences in WWII with Clay Central-Everly classes over the years. In recent years, he was a local Habitat for Humanity volunteer. Most of all, Walt was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, who provided a powerful example of Christian kindness, hard work, and love of learning to three generations of his family. In addition to his parents, Walt was preceded in death by his brother Erwin Goeken and his sisters Hildegarde Goldsmith and Leona Steffens. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Clara; his five sons and their wives, Tom and Kathy Goeken, Everly; Dick and Rita Goeken, Everly; John and Connie Goeken, Everly; Dave Goeken and Elizabeth Kaufman, Friendswood, TX; and Bob and Jane Goeken, Spencer; nine grandchildren: Scott (Jennifer), Kevin (Rebecca), Ryan, Nolan, Clare and Rachel Goeken, Shannon (Sheldon) Schipper, Brook (Joe) Schueller, and Jessica (John) Curran; and 10 great-grandchildren: Isaac, Helen, Kyle, Noah and Abby Goeken; Maddie, Jacob and William Walter Schipper; and Kale and Ava Schueller.

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