Florian Goedken

FLORIAN HENRY GOEDKEN

Cedar Rapids

Florian Henry Goedken, 88, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 25, 2017, with his family at his side in Overland Park, Kan. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, with a visitation beginning one hour prior at All Saints Catholic Church. The Rev. John Flaherty will officiate. Entombment with military rites at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Florian was born Jan. 21, 1929, to Aloys and Sylveria Goedken, in Guttenberg, Iowa. He proudly served in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Ky., with the 407th Combat Engineer Battalion. Florian was united in marriage to Darlene Morley on June 30, 1953, in Lamont. He was a graduate of Coe College, where he received his degree in business administration and economics. He worked for Rinderknecht Associates Inc. for 41 years and served as president from 1984 to 1994.

During his life, Florian enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and traveling with his wife, Darlene.

He is survived by his son, Robert (Jean) of Overland Park; four grandchildren, Joel Goedken, Elizabeth (Pat) Kellerman, Matthew Goedken and Rachel (Joe) Holtzapfel; and three great-grandchildren, Audrey, William and Joseph (whom he enjoyed spoiling with cookies and ice cream at every visit.) He is also survived by his siblings: sisters, Viola Tschirgi of Elkador and Rose Marie (Lynn) Wolf of Marion; brother, Joe (Paulette) Goedken of Cedar Rapids; and sister-in-law, Mary (Earl) McDermott of Cascade.

Florian was preceded in death by his loving wife, Darlene; they will celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary in heaven this Friday, June 30; his parents, Aloys and Sylveria; his brother, Lavern; and his sisters, Wilma Burkle and Mary Ann Wichman.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.