MARY ELLEN MESCHER

DYERSVILLE, Iowa – Mary Ellen Mescher was born in Dyersville, IA on December 13, 1941, to William and Germaine Mescher. Mary Ellen told her kids when she was young, she played baseball with the boys and did lots of babysitting. Mary Ellen was a Xavier Cardinal, she played clarinet in the band, twirled the baton, and was a cheerleader. Also, as the oldest girl in the family she constantly worked to keep her siblings in line, that was hard work!

In 1960, Mary Ellen was married to Duane Goedken, also a Dyersville kid. They lived in Iowa City where she worked at the University of Iowa Hospitals while Duane was finishing law school, and they welcomed their first daughter Lynne.

They later settled in Muscatine where daughter Beth and son Brian were born. Mary Ellen was involved with civic organizations such as the Iowa League of Women Voters and TTT. Mary Ellen was a member of several bridge groups, and according to Duane, she was pretty good bridge player. On most weekends Duane and Mary Ellen had plans with friends, spending many nights out for dinner and drinks, summer days on the golf course, and during the fall at Iowa Hawkeye football games. Luckily, there were enough baby-sitters in town to take care of the kids. They were very busy!

When Duane was a pilot, they flew to many destinations to play golf, have cocktails, and enjoy lots of laughs. One of their favorite places to go was Lake Lawn and the Playboy Club in Lake Geneva, WI. Sometimes they even took their kids, who survived the toboggan chute, went ice skating (mom and dad were the best skaters), enjoyed the indoor swimming pool, and watched their parents dance and have a few cocktails. The kids were allowed to have a grasshopper.

Later in life, Mary Ellen went to college and earned a Business degree from the University of Iowa (in the Goedken family, she had the best GPA). She also joined a book club. The book Club was important to Mary Ellen; she enjoyed the friendships and discussions.

Mary Ellen enjoyed trips to see Lynne in Arizona. She and Lynne would play golf and eat well. Of course, Lynne always took her mom to her regular bar. Mary Ellen also traveled with her friends and sisters.

Mary Ellen was loving and caring mom, sister and friend. She had a witty and funny personality, keeping everyone on their toes. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with dementia later in life, but even in memory care her wit and personality would shine through. One day an aide told Beth she was helping Mary Ellen find a seat in the dining room and asked her where she would like to sit, to which Mary Ellen replied, “on my butt.”

Mary Ellen developed a special friendship with some of her caregivers at Morning Star. She also enjoyed her friendship and many visits from Kathy Bishop. To those people, thank you for making Mary Ellen smile and keeping her on her toes.

Mary Ellen knew she was fortunate to have the loving parents, brothers and sisters she was raised with, and gave the same to her own family in Muscatine. Throughout her life, Mary Ellen found joy spending time with her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. She placed high value on close friendships and family, and they will miss her greatly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane, daughter Lynne Marsom, her parents, brother Roger Mescher, sister-in-law Marilyn Mescher, brother-in-laws Chris Goedken and Gary Goedken, and sister-in-law Anne Goedken. She is survived by children Beth Goedken and Brian Goedken, and family members Myra

Mescher, Dan & Donna Meyer, Dale & Mary Mescher, Lee & Deb Mescher, Candy Goedken, Kathy Goedken, and Phil & Sue Goedken.

A small private service will be held in Dyersville, bringing Mary Ellen home. In lieu of memorial gifts, the family asks that you please opt for dessert next time you are out (and if you are especially charitable buy one for everyone) and raise a fork in remembrance of Mary Ellen. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.