Allen Goeke

Allen A. Goeke, 98, of Waukon died Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Friday, September 18 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Pastor Daryl Schultz officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Allen Arthur Goeke was born March 14,1928, the son of George and Gertrude (Shindoll) Goeke of Waukon. He attended Jefferson #3 country school for grades 1-6, and then the Waukon public schools, graduating from Waukon High School in May of 1947.

Allen worked for Herman Repair Shop in downtown Waukon, starting while still in high school in 1946, up until the summer of 1950, when he attended a short course at Iowa State University to train as a Dairy Herd Improvement Supervisor. From 1950 to 1955, he served as DHIA Supervisor for Allamakee County. Later in 1955, he took a position with Model Dairy in Waukon, staying with them until December of 1959, when he returned to DHIA work.

For 15 years, Allen continued as the Allamakee DHIA Supervisor until June of 1974, accepting a position with what was then Meadowland Dairy in Waukon as a Lab Technician and working with them for 21 years before retiring

in 1995, at the age of 67. Often referred to as a milk tester, he became a beloved monthly guest for many local dairy farmers, in particular so many of the young farm children whom he befriended on his visits.

February 5, 1956, Allen united in marriage to Ella Mae Olson of Waukon at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, where they remained active members to this day. Allen served the congregation in many roles over the years: Sunday School teacher, Luther League leader, usher, and on so many special projects. Allen ushered at well over 100 funerals at St. John’s.

Allen enjoyed gardening and always had a large garden at their home in Waukon. He loved motorcycles and rode with a local group of friends on many trips, including to the Sturgis motorcycle rally in its early years. Every fall, the group would meet at Forest Mills with their families.

Over the years, Allen was a fixture in the stands at nearly all Waukon High School sporting events - whether it was football, basketball, baseball or softball. He was a particularly huge supporter of the high school girls’ sports.

He was active in the local dairy community, serving many years as Secretary-Treasurer for the Allamakee County Holstein Association, was a recipient of the DHIA Distinguished Service Award, and a long-time supporter of the Allamakee County Fair dairy judging and awards. Allen and Ella Mae also clerked dairy dispersal sales for Donny Vine Auctions for nearly 20 years.

Allen is survived by his devoted wife Ella Mae; his sons, Mark Goeke of Riceville, James (LuAnn) Goeke of Maquoketa, and Jerry Goeke of Waukon; his grandchildren, Bill (Maggie) Goeke of Carver, MN, and Brian (Claire) Goeke of Coralville; two great-grandsons; his sister Karen Delatte of Madison, MS; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his sisters, Ruth (Tex) Dotseth and Lorna (Vernon) Miller; and his brothers, Ronald (Clarice) Goeke and Wesley (Carol) Goeke.

Casketbearers were Scot Knudtson, Bill and Brian Goeke, Kevin Fossum, and Joel Miller.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.