Marcelene E. "Tootie" Godke

KEWANEE - Marcelene E. (Tootie) Godke, 97 passed away at 2:37 p.m., Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Betty’s Garden Memory Care in Kewanee, IL.  She was born in a house on the family farm, April 7, 1923 to Elmer and Florence (Sedig) Krause.  She married Robert A. Godke on April 11, 1943 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kewanee. He preceded her in death on July 3, 2012.  She was a 1941 graduate of Kewanee High School. Tootie lived most of her adult life on her family’s farm west of Kewanee.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Dr. Robert A. Godke, Jr, daughter-in-laws, Nancy Godke and Kim Godke, one grandchild and one great grandchild, a sister, Betty Holtschult, brother-in-law Dave Holtschultz Sr., sister-in-law, Helen Kennaugh, brother-in-law Lee Kennaugh, and brother-in-law, Dean Godke.

She is survived by 4 sons, David (Donna) Godke, Ballwin, Mo., James (Stephanie) Godke, Kewanee, IL, Douglas (Debra) Godke, Pekin, IL. Richard (Dr. Margaret) Godke, Jacksonville, FL, daughter, Julie (Tom) Wilson, Ravensdale, WA, and a daughter-in-law, Bonnie Godke, Kewanee, IL. Grand Children - Beth (David) Koonce Athens OH, Jennifer (Ken) Harper, Denham Spring, LA, Dr. John (Mary) Godke, St. Francisville, LA, Scott (Amy) Godke, Overland Park, KS, Eryn (Matt) Balz, Eureka, MO, Jeffrey (Cathy) Godke, Roselle, IL, Sarah (John) Huber, Milan, IL, Stephen (Shawnee) Godke, Schaumburg, IL, Ryan (Bill) Godke, Pekin, IL, Meganne Godke, Orlando, FL, Gary Wilson, Jordan, UT, Nick Wilson, Vineyard, UT, Tanya Wilson, Salt Lake City, UT, Ellie Wilson, Ravensdale, WA, Jack Wilson, Ravensdale, WA.  She is also survived by 19 great grandchildren, brother and sister-in-law’s Glen and Betty Godke and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tootie’s main occupation was mother and homemaker, but she had also been employed by the Kewanee Telephone Company, G & L Fabric Center, and Gustafson’s Paint Store in Kewanee.  She loved little children, especially babies, and baby sat for numerous young children in Kewanee. Over the years, she volunteered her time for March of Dimes, Mothers March for Crippled Children, the Kewanee Hospital Gift Shop, Kewanee High School Stadium and served as a Burns Township election judge.

She was selected as Mother of the Year in 1966 by WKEI radio station when all six of her children nominated her for the honor.

She was a member and one of the founding members of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kewanee. Tootie was a member of TOPS, Red Hat Society and was involved in organizing her high school class reunions. She and her husband Bob were active members of Marriage Encounter and Thrivent, (AAL).  They were members of the Henry County Farm Bureau and were involved in the Farm Bureau Prime Timers group.  They were also members of the Flemish American Club. They were involved in American Field Services (AFS) where they, with their daughter Julie, hosted a foreign student, Maria Pia from Parma, Italy for a year.

Tootie enjoyed playing cards, dancing, art and craft projects. She was an award-winning cook.  She and Bob played Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for many years at many different places in Kewanee.  She was known by many for sending 100’s of birthday cards each year to brighten the day for many people.

A private family service will be held at the grave side with Vicar Michael Wilke officiating.  A memorial service is being planned for this coming summer. Rux Funeral Home will be handling the burial arrangements. Burial will be held on Friday, January 8th at Pleasant View Cemetery in Kewanee. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the following; Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 620 Hepner Dr, Kewanee, IL  61443 or to the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Foundation, 530 NE Glen Oak Ave, Peoria, IL 61637.

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