Donald Goetz

DONALD KEITH GOETZ

Tipton

Donald Keith Goetz, 85, of Tipton, peacefully left this world in the comfort of his home on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. A Celebration of Life and a time to reminisce and share stories will be held on Thursday, July 27, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton. Private graveside services will be held later that evening in St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Branch.

Should friends so desire, a memorial fund has been established in Don's name for St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

Don was born Feb. 8, 1932, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Walter Herman George Goetz and Julia Kathrine Koenig Goetz. Don was united in marriage to Maxine Marie Anderson in Mediapolis. They later divorced. Don was united in marriage to Virginia Jean Ruzek on July 7, 1977, in Chicago. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served our country during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954.

Don's long career in the grocery business began at age 14 as a potato sacker at a Benner Tea Co. store in Burlington in 1946. Don rose to store manager at age 18 and after returning from the Marine Corps, he returned to Benner and was instrumental in that company's expansion, at one time supervising 17 stores and holding top positions in warehousing, transportation and maintenance.

Don went into business for himself in October 1964 when he opened Don's Big Value in Tipton. He later opened stores in several cities in eastern Iowa under the Family Foods banner that still flies today with sons Mike and Randy at the helm. Don prided himself in clean stores, competitive prices and close customer relations. He was recently recognized for 50 years of grocery store ownership.

Don was a very giving man who loved family nights and decades of summer family vacations to Fair Hills Resort in Minnesota. He was involved in numerous service organizations, including the Tipton Country Club and Tipton Rotary Club, where he was named as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Don is survived by his wife, Jean of Tipton; daughters, Pam Jones of Tipton, Ginny Goetz-Mizaur (Rusty) of Iowa City, Tracy Goetz of Iowa City and Sara (Jeff) Ralston of Davenport; sons, Michael (Denise) Goetz of Tipton, Randy (Julie) Goetz of Anamosa, Scott Wingert of Swisher and Randy (Dee) Wingert of Denver, Colo.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Julia Goetz; ex-wife, Maxine Goetz; sisters, Dorothy Doemland and Kathryn Sliger; and brothers, Robert and Kenneth.