Obit: Goeke, Harvey W. (1933 – 2014)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Goeke, Decker, Grum, Dusso, Smith, Mahon, Stafford

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 07 Jan 2015

Goeke, Harvey W. (5 JAN 1933 – 29 DEC 2014)

HARVEY W. GOEKE, age 81, of Greenwood, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2014 at the House of the Dove, in Marshfield, with his wife, Phyllis, at his side. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 12:00 noon at the Parkway Pines Supper Club in Greenwood, with visitation beginning and 11:30am.

Harvey William Goeke was born on January 5, 1933, on the family farm in the Township of Warner, rural Greenwood, to Frederick W. and Lydia (Decker) Goeke. He was raised on the family farm and received his education at the Decker Country School, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1951. He fondly remembered his high school years, frequently recalling lifelong friends made there and the experience of playing on championship football teams during that time. Harvey worked on the farm with his father until enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1954. He served until his honorable discharge in 1956, and came back to Greenwood to farm. He drove children to the Decker School for three years, an activity recalled by many of the local residents who rode with him. Harvey was united in marriage to Phyllis N. Grum on June 6, 1959 in Kiel, WI. Soon after their marriage, they purchased his parents farm. While farming, Harvey attended Chippewa Valley Technical College and earned an Associate's degree in Production Agriculture under sponsorship of the G.I. Bill. In 1992, he sold his dairy cows and continued to raise crops and beef until 2008, at which time he was diagnosed with cancer, making it necessary to give up hard work. He then arranged to have his land lovingly planted and nurtured by a good friend and neighbor.

He served on the Town of Warner board for many years, as well as on the Board of Directors for Midland Co-op and North Hendren Dairy Co-op. He enjoyed this involvement as he valued his community and associations and wanted to see them thrive.

Harvey had many interests, but especially loved farming. His mind and heart were perpetually focused upon the well-being of his animals and the land. It was his hope that farmland and forest land in Wisconsin would be protected and preserved for future generations.

His hobbies included playing in the old timer's baseball league, bowling, horseshoes, and an occasional fishing trip with a boyhood friends. He enjoyed traveling, having taken trips around the U.S., Europe, Canada, Scandinavia and Russia. His greatest pleasure was meeting farmers in other places.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Phyllis, of Greenwood; three nieces: Debra (Mike) Mahon of Manitowoc, Beverly Dusso of Minneapolis, and Joy Smith of Madison; three nephews: Gerald (Chris) Goeke of Hartland, William (Donna) Dusso of Madison, and William (Carol) Stafford of Somers; great nieces and nephews; brother-in-law: Richard Grum of Stoughton; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws; his sister and brother-in-law: Alice (Lorris) Dusso; his brother and sister-in-law: Gerald (Elda) Goeke; and nephew James Dusso.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Greenwood Area Ambulance Service, Clark County 4-H Clubs or the Clark County Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.