David Goedde

Marshall - David Alan Goedde, 78, of Marshall died at home in the loving care of his family on May 15, 2025, after a long illness. Dave was the youngest child of Edwin and Mary (Tate) Goedde. He was born on January 3, 1947, in Defiance, Ohio, in the middle of a blizzard. Dave described with fondness growing up in a small house on Jackson Street with a railroad track running through his backyard. He was educated by the Sisters of St. Agnes at St. John School which was just a few blocks from his house. Dave could still name all of the sisters who taught him and remembered loving having a fresh donut after morning Mass before beginning school. He graduated from Defiance High School in 1965 and then attended the University of Toledo where he earned a degree in Pharmacy in 1970. He married Barbara Smith ( "a girl he grew up with" and the sister of one of his friends) on March 23, 1974. They enjoyed 51 years of marriage and a lifelong friendship. After graduation, Dave began work as a hospital pharmacist, working at hospitals in both Coldwater and Toledo. In 1976, Dave was hired as Director of Pharmacy at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, Michigan. Oaklawn did not have an in-hospital pharmacy service until Dave arrived. In the early years, he was the director and the only pharmacist. This meant he was responsible for filling prescriptions on his own, manually gathering and preparing medications, and delivering them on pushcarts. Sometimes that meant returning to the hospital in the middle of the night to fill a desperately needed prescription. Through the years, the Oaklawn Pharmacy grew under Dave's leadership to add more pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, updated technology, and a new and larger pharmacy department. Dave was always incredibly proud to have worked at Oaklawn and treasured the many friendships he made with doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff. He especially loved his pharmacy crew. He retired in 2013 after 37 years of service. Despite his busy career, Dave found time to volunteer as the leader of Boy Scout troop 337, a catechist at St. Mary Church, and (during retirement) as a member of the board of directors at Wilder Creek Conservation Club. While his work was a source of pride for him, nothing was more important to him than the family he and Barb created together. He lived 51 years with his best friend, Barb. His children and grandchildren were his greatest achievement. He loved rocking a baby to sleep, fishing trips with his grandchildren, camping, and a good cigar. His Catholic faith was the foundation upon which he lived and built his life. He will be greatly missed and always loved by his family. David is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Patricia Goedde Shupe Jussaume, and his brother Ed Goedde. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Goedde, son Matthew (Meaghan) Goedde of Denver, daughters Sara (Matthew) Rodgers of Marshall, and Kate (Nathan) Stewart of Marshall. He was "Pop Pop" to ten grandchildren: Samuel, Margaret, John Paul, Cecilia and Gus Rodgers; Michael, Emma, Joseph, and Grace Stewart; and Niko Goedde.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 22, 2025, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., a Rosary/Vigil Service will prayed at 7:00pm at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Marshall, Michigan.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025, 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 212 Hanover St., Marshall, Michigan, with Fr. Craig Lusk, Celebrant.

Interment will take place in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.

Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Dave's name may do so to St. Mary Religious Education program or to Wilder Creek Conservation Club.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook, to share memories and pictures with the family.