Shirley Ann Goeke, 91, of Rock City, IL, passed away at Medina Nursing Center on Monday, June 5th, 2023 on their 69th wedding anniversary. Born on October 22, 1931 in Rock Grove Township, Stephenson County, Illinois; to Robert and Mary Berneice (Arnsmeier) Stuckey. She married Merle Goeke on June 5, 1954. They farmed until 1995, and she was a committed and dedicated farm wife, mother and grandmother.
Shirley was a graduate of Brodhead High School and UW - Whitewater. She taught Business in the Wisconsin school districts of Barneveld and Juda, prior to her becoming a full time mother. Even though her teaching days were over after they started a family, she continued to be an educator her whole life. Shirley was a member of the Stephenson County Home Extension for over 50 years. She also served two terms on the Board of Education of Dakota Schools. She served on many committees at St. Paul Church of Epleyanna throughout her life – Willing Workers, Women’s Fellowship, Senior Choir, Operation Christmas Child, Christian Fun Club, Church Council, funeral luncheons, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School teacher and Church Anniversary committees were just a sampling of her interests. She was also a member of Rock Run Historical Society and served as an officer. She was an avid seamstress and sewed tote bags for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and had already sewed 148 tote bags for 2023 before she became ill. She had made well over 1,500 bags in her few short years of this project. Her family will always treasure the quilts that she made and the hundreds of rugs that they loomed. They enjoyed selling their rugs at various craft shows and meeting new friends. Shirley enjoyed dancing and her and Merle followed many polka bands. She lived a full & blessed life and her love for her family was very evident, always willing to help with grandchildren or great grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Merle, of Rock City, their five children, Sandra (Tom) Bickel, Sally (Fritz) Kuhlmeier, Dale (Billy) Goeke, Diane (Randy) Lawson and Karen (Jim) Kleckner; Eleven grandchildren, Anthony Bickel, Christopher Bickel, Nick Kuhlmeier, Patrick Kuhlmeier, Stacey Rogers, Drew Goeke, Chad Goeke, Erika Cline, Adam Lawson, Kyle Kleckner & Jacob Kleckner; sixteen great-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Merle Lee (Bonnie) Stuckey, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, William Stuckey; sister, Marlene Toelke; and granddaughter, Kirsten Kleckner.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at St. Paul Church of Epleyanna in Davis, IL. The funeral service will take place on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. also at the Church. Interment will take place at St. Paul Church Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established in her name. The Daughenbaugh Funeral Home of Dakota, IL is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.walkermortuary.com.
