Donald Goedken

Donald Goedken

Iowa City

Donald Goedken, 76, of Iowa City, passed away on December 30, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be held from 2-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Don was born on October 12, 1949 in Farmersburg, Iowa to Herbert and Claudine (Berns) Goedken. After graduating St. Mary’s High School in Guttenberg, Iowa he attended Upper Iowa University for one year before transferring to the University of Iowa. He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Schlueter, on January 31, 1970 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Garnavillo, IA.

In 1972 Don purchased Hawkeye Awning Company which he eventually converted to Sun & Fun RV and ran until his retirement in 2008.

Don had three rules to live by. First, family comes first always. Second, life is uncertain, eat dessert first. Third, if you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.

Some of his adventures include: kayaking from Niagara Falls through the Erie Canal to the Statue of Liberty; hiking 1,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail; hunting and fishing trips; riding his motorcycle solo to the Arctic Circle as well as trips through all 50 states, Mexico, and Canada; rides in his Corvette; and annual snowmobile trips to Wyoming. Always a thrillseeker, Don also had his pilot’s license and went bungee jumping in New Zealand. In his younger years, Don was an active member of Kiwanis, Jaycees, and the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Iowa RV Dealer Association, EAA Chapter 33, and the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association.

Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Shirley; children: Scott (Melissa) Goedken and Chad (Lynda) Goedken; grandchildren: Morgan, Harrison, Jonathan “Jack,” and William “Will” Goedken; siblings: LuAnn Bries, Darlene Frommelt, Elaine Bries, Marcia (Lonnie) Roys, and Joanne (Dennis) Kuehl; stepsiblings: Cheryll (Bob) Jones and Pat (Donna) McLane as well as brother-in-law, Cyril Frommelt. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Claudine Goedken; stepfather, Lorraine McLane; sister, Virgenette Frommelt; stepbrothers, Mike and Jim McLane; in-laws Albert and Regina Schlueter; and brother-in-law, Louis Frommelt.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ALS Association. If unable to attend, viewers may watch the mass at https://stpatsic.com/. You may then click on “Parish Videos” to watch Don’s funeral.