Mary Doris (Roseke) Godwin, mom, momma or granny, age 89, peacefully went into the presence of her Lord and Savior surrounded by her family on June 12, 2025. There will be a visitation held on June 17, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at McLaren’s Resthaven Funeral Chapel in West Des Moines, Iowa. A funeral service for Mary will take place on June 18, 2025, at 10:30 am at Messiah Lutheran Church in Johnston, Iowa. Immediately following the service, a luncheon will be held at the church. After the luncheon, burial will take place at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.
Mary was born on February 23, 1936, in Lake City, Iowa, to Evron and Doris Roseke. She married Robert “Bob” Godwin on October 5, 1956. Together, they raised 5 amazing children: Janelle, Doug, Kevin, Barb, and Kendall. Bob and Mary enjoyed life together. They loved to go dancing, spending every weekend at Holiday Lake when the kids were young, and celebrating the 4th of July.
She raised her family in Des Moines, where she spent most of her life as a homemaker. She loved caring for (and chasing after) her children while Bob was earning a living driving truck. Mary taught her children the importance of Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. She made going to church a priority for her family, and she served in many women’s ministries throughout her life. She taught her family how to be kind, caring and loving people by the way she lived her life!
After moving to Holiday Lake, Mary loved having people visit her there. She made it a special place for her family to want to come. While wintering in Texas, she missed her family and couldn’t wait until it was warm enough in Iowa for Bob so he would bring her back home.
Mary loved BIG and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Everyone that knew her loved her. She was small but mighty and had a heart of pure gold. She served and cared for others, always wanting to make sure everyone was alright.
There are a few quirks about Mary, however. She loved to sleep, like, I mean LOVED to sleep! She didn’t like to be hot, and she would let you know about it. Her posts on Facebook or random texts would make us giggle or sometimes scratch our head, but she always had something funny to say at just the time we needed it. {HA} (if you know you know)!!
Mary is survived by her children, Janelle (Scott) Jones, Douglas (Susan) Godwin, Kevin (Becky) Godwin, Barbara (Bruce) Flickinger, and Kendall (Shelly) Godwin; grandchildren, Robert Johnson, Kenneth Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Marah (Alex) Vanderen, Amber (Bryan) Carsten, Eric (Shaila) Godwin, Shawna (Kevin) Mitchell, Bradley (Amy) Tomes, Kelly (Dan) Poage, Lindsey (Matt) Monaco, Rachel (Neel) Bhramdat, Luke (Jeannie) Flickinger, Jake (Madelyn) Flickinger, Seth Godwin, Maranda (Emily) Peterson; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Roger (Verdeen) Roseke; sisters, Gloria Vreeman and Patricia Deyo; sister in law Lavon (Lloyd) Linn. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Bob; her precious granddaughter, Sarah Flickinger; and parents, Evron and Doris (Whitney) Roseke.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family and they will donate them to a charity of their choosing at a later date.
