Lavern J. Goedken and Patsy Bockenstedt, both of Petersburg, were married on July 28, 1965, in SS. Peter & Paul Church in Petersburg.
They have eight children: Lynn Steger, of Dyersville, Dan Goedken, of Holy Cross, Ron Goedken and Susie, of New Vienna, Larry and Steph Goedken, of Guttenberg, Jill and Chris Kramer, of Dyersville, Jody and Bob Lawrence, of Manchester, and two deceased, Karla and Karen.
They have eight grandchildren: Leah and fiancé Scott Fousek, Nate and Erin Steger, Kyle, Nick and Caden Kramer and Madison and Will Goedken.
They have one great-grandchild, Kesler Fousek.