Ellen J. Godeke

ELLEN GODEKE MUSCATINE, Iowa - Ellen J. Godeke, 94, of Muscatine, died following a brief illness, on Friday, February 29, 2008, at Unity Hospital. Funeral Mass will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, 2008, at the St. Mathias Church, 215 West Eighth Street. Immediately following the funeral mass, the family will greet friends in Gannon Hall. Private family burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2008, at the church. The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made in Ellen's name to the Muscatine Humane Society, MCSA, Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish or the charity of the donor's choice. Ellen was born on June 5, 1913, in Beloit, Wisconsin, the daughter of William James and Margaret Ann Mills Fitzgerald. She married Henry L. Godeke on December 25, 1937, in Beloit, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death in 1990. Mrs. Godeke had been a resident of Muscatine since 1939. She graduated from Beloit Public Schools and from Beloit College with the class of 1935. She also attended Marycrest College in Davenport. She was a school teacher at West Junior High,...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

aching mathematics and algebra for 18 years. She retired in 1979. She was a member of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish, Muscatine Catholic Guild, TTT Chapter M, American Association of University Women, Muscatine Retired Teachers Association MARTA, and was a member of the POETS. She volunteered for Unity Hospital Auxiliary; respite care, and Senior Resources. She loved furry animals and raised generations of collie dogs. She will be deeply missed by her boarder collie, Molly. Ellen enjoyed flowers, gardening, stitching of all sorts, reading, and treasured the family and friends that completed her life. She is survived by and will be forever missed by a daughter, Kristen Godeke Updike and husband, Michael Updike of Commerce Township, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son, John Gregory Godeke in 2002, an infant son, William James Godeke in 1954, and six brothers and sisters.