Max E. Goeken

Max E. Goeken, age 75, of Spencer, passed away at his home on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, following complications from surgery.

Funeral services were held on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the Brockhaus Funeral Home in Spencer with Rev. Grant H. Graff officiating. 

Music was provided by organist, Judy Haun with congregational hymns. Prior to the service music by The Gaithers was played. A final musical selection, "I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You" by Tom and Karen Cobb, had also been played at Max and Rita's wedding. Ian Rappolt shared the reading, "I Met The Master Face To Face."

Pallbearers were Steve Rutjens, Ian Rappolt, Bryce Weisser, Lonnie Hood, Audie Hood, Gene Morrill and Adam Mathison.

Honorary pallbearers were John Goeken, Susan Goeken, Cynthia Wellington and Libia Morrill.

Interment was in the National Cemetery in Spencer.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Spencer was in charge of arrangements.

Max Elvyn Goeken, son of Max and Pauline (Breeden) Goeken, was born on June 4, 1937, in Salina, KS. He graduated from Lenora High School in Lenora, KS, in 1955.

On July 9, 1959, he was married to Karen Beaver. To this union three children were born: Susan Marie, John Michael and Cynthia Ann. On April 5, 1969, Max married Rita Hambek Hood. On Sept. 21, 2002, Max and Rita were remarried in Lenora, KS.

Max was a hard worker. He worked for  Nebraska Public Power;  did some farming; and drove a truck for Swift, Coast to Coast, Gary Scheinost and Crete Carriers. He favorite job was being an oil rig driller.

He loved to work in his yard and was very proud of it. It was not unusual to see Max and his beloved dog, Duke, sharing the seat of the John Deere lawn mower. Duke was Max's constant companion. Max loved to read and watch old western movies. He loved his daughter's cinnamon rolls, what a smile they would bring. He also loved watching  little kids, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Max was a member of the Fraternal Order of Elks for 18 years and served in several offices. He was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Eagles Club where he served as president at the O'Neill club.

Those left to cherish Max's memory are his wife and love of his life, Rita; his children, Susan of Lenora, KS, John and Cynthia, both of Eugene, OR; step-children, Audie Hood of Spencer, Lonnie (Ursulla) Hood of O'Neill and Libia (Gene) Morrill of Royal; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; beloved mother, Pauline Goeken of Lenora, KS; mother-in-law, Libia Hambek of Verdigre; two brothers, James Goeken of Lenora, KS, and Rick (Glenna) Goeken of Idaho Falls, Idaho; sister-in-law, Betty (Cecil) Mashino; numerous nieces and nephews and his dog, Duke.

He was preceded in death by his father, Max Goeken; maternal and paternal grandparents; and father-in-law, William Hambek.