Merlin H. Goedken, 96, of Oelwein, Iowa passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, September 7, 2022,
at Oelwein Health Care Center.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 15, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in
Oelwein with Rev. David Beckman officiating.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, and from 9:30 to 10:30
A.M. on Thursday, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein.
Knights of Columbus Rosary: 3:15 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Interment will be at St. Albert Cemetery, in rural Dundee, Iowa, with military honors by Loren Foster American
Legion Post #346 of Lamont, Iowa.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com
Merlin Harold Goedken was born on October 17, 1925, in Worthington, Iowa the son of Henry and Caroline
(Crubel) Goedken. The family moved to a farm by Masonville where he attended Buchanan County School.
Merlin proudly served his country in the United States Army during WWII as a Medic. After his discharge, he
worked at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo, IA. He was united in marriage to Lucille Elizabeth Friedman on
January 20, 1948 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lamont. Merlin and Lucille moved to Lamont where they
farmed for 48 years. Merlin also drove a school bus for Starmont schools. Merlin and Lucille retired from
farming and moved to Oelwein in 1998.
Merlin was a member of the American Legion Post #346 of Lamont, Sacred Heart Church, Knights of
Columbus, Farm Bureau, and a retired senior volunteer, calling bingo for the meal site in Oelwein and
Arlington Place for 15 years. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He was a cancer survivor of 25 years. Merlin
enjoyed farm auctions, slow-pitch softball, deer hunting, penny poker, reading, driving out to the farmstead and
spending time watching his grandchildren play sports. Merlin would like to be remembered as loving his family,
his faith, his country, calling bingo at Arlington Place and Oelwein Mealsite.
Merlin is survived by his six children: Carol (Tom Schiltz) Tousley of Oelwein, Merlin C. (Lynette) Goedken
of Strawberry Point, Richard (Mary) Goedken of Dundee, Betty Kusch of Mays Landing, New Jersey, Barbara
(Bill) Ramsey of Muscatine and Robert (Lois) Goedken of Dundee, 18 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, 4
great-great grandchildren, sisters-in-law: Julita (Lentz) Goedken and Madonna Friedman,OSF, many nieces,
nephews and cousins.
Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lucille of 74 years, five brothers: Linus, Arthur, Elmer,
Lester, Norbert; sister: Isabell (Taylor) Parkerhouse; sisters-in-law: Leola (Meyer) Goedken, Edna Mae
(Fischer) Goedken, Katherine (Kortenkamp) Goedken, Erna (Houska) Goedken, a brother-in-law Louis Taylor;
two sons-in-law: Fred Tousley and Kenneth Kusch and a grandson: Gregory Goedken.
Merlin’s family would like to thank Oelwein Health Care Center for their compassion in caring for Merlin
during his stay. Our gratitude for your kindness and loving care is endless.
