Paulette Goedken

Paulette Goedken

Cedar Rapids

Paulette Goedken, 78 of Cedar Rapids, passed away May 14, 2025, at Meth-Wick Community.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 22, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with the Rev. Dennis Miller officiating. Burial: St. John’s Cemetery. A vigil will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Teahen Funeral Home. Those not wishing to attend the vigil service may visit with the family on Wednesday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and on Thursday at the church after 9:30 a.m.

Survivors include her husband, Joseph Goedken; children, Mark Goedken, Jason (Sherri) Goedken, Joette Goedken, Janeen (Cornelius) Qualley, and Julie (Sean) Beard; grandchildren, Tiffany (Carter), Tyler, Tanner, Ethan, Caden, Lauren, Logan, Parker, Reagan, Chase; great-grandchild, Cooper; and brother, Paul L (Dixie) Pickart. She was called mother by Le and Ve Nguyen as well as several other foster children over the years.

Paulette was preceded in death by her parents, Paul J. and Agnes Pickart; sister, Pam Pickart; and daughter-in-law, Holli Kautzman.

Paulette was born in Cedar Rapids, on July 2, 1946. She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, and was in the first graduation class of LaSalle High School. Paulette was skilled at being fast-fingered on a keyboard and used that talent at all of her employers. She worked at St. Luke’s Hospital, retiring after 25 years. She married Joseph at St. Patrick Catholic Church on May 24, 1969, and lived at the same address from 1972 until moving to Meth-Wick as her health deteriorated.

She loved traveling – especially to the Rocky Mountains, Florida, and California – attending Hawkeye bowl games, concerts at the Iowa State Fair, and going fishing. She especially enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren participate in their sports and having her family together, especially for Christmas. When asked by her children how to determine the amount she spent on her children at Christmas, she replied, “You spend until it hurts.” Paulette’s favorite motto was, “I will live life my way.” She sat with Mark for an entire afternoon helping him write thank-you notes after his wife, Holli, died. She said that all problems can be fixed with cooked eggs.

Memorial contributions will be donated to charities beloved to Paulette. The family would like to thank the medical staff of Meth-Wick for their exceptional care over the last years of her life.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.