Douglas Gene Goschke, 77, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Iowa City, passed away peacefully at home March 2, 2025.
Douglas Gene Goschke was born July 7, 1947, to Amil Gene Goschke and June Berniece (Newell) Goschke in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Raised in Wellman, where his parents owned the local newspaper, the Wellman Advance, Doug learned the importance of hard work from their example. His parents' generosity and dedication set a path for him that he followed throughout his life.
Doug graduated from Mid-Prairie High School in 1965, where he was involved in many activities, including the newspaper and science clubs, choir, and band, perfecting the saxophone. From an interview in 2022, Doug shared that he “specialized” in athletics during high school, playing both football and basketball. After graduating in 1965, his talent as a football player earned him scholarships at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, where he also played football. He later attended Illinois State University on a football scholarship and played as an offensive guard, eventually earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University.
Life was just beginning for Doug, as he would live in Wayne, Michigan; San Diego, California; Centerville, Iowa; Richmond, Virginia; Muscatine, Iowa; McKinney, Texas; Ottumwa, Iowa; and finally in Iowa City, and Port St. Lucie, Florida, during his retirement years.
After graduating from Illinois State, Doug was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served his country for two years during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in August 1971.
Following his time in the service, Doug worked for various companies, including General Motors and HNI Corporation. After many successful years in management, he transitioned to growing and leading a global management consulting business named Simpler Consulting. The company grew to over 150 employees with offices across the country and overseas.
Doug met and married his wife, Ann Marie Berrier, in December 1981 in Ottumwa. Doug and Ann led a life focused on hard work, family, and friends. Throughout his retirement years, Doug spent his time golfing, collecting art, smoking cigars, and drinking wine. Doug and Ann loved traveling and visited all 50 US states and many national parks, with Teddy Roosevelt National Park being their favorite. The memories of their travels live on through anecdotal postcards that Doug would send out from every location.
Doug’s unwavering generosity was received by all who knew him, as he was driven to give back to his community. Doug made profound differences with his contributions to Mid-Prairie High School, from smaller donations in the beginning to support Mid-Prairie’s indoor facility, to a larger starter donation towards a new high school auditorium, along with two scholarship funds for students. In 2021, in honor of Doug’s late sister, Junean, Doug and Ann gifted the University of Northern Iowa Panther football program the outdoor football facility they desired and deserved. As a loyal Hawkeye fan, whose heart bled black and gold, Doug supported the University of Iowa through his donation to the Kinnick Edge Campaign and gifted art to the UI Stanley Museum of Art. The most significant and recognized gift was undoubtedly to the University of Iowa Wrestling Program. On May 30, 2024, the University of Iowa held the grand opening for The Goschke Family Wrestling Training Center, celebrating and elevating the highly successful legacy of the Iowa Wrestling program.
Doug Goschke left us a long list of accomplishments, achievements, and contributions, but those aren’t what defined him. Doug loved his wife, children, and grandchildren with all of his heart. Doug played a huge role in every life he came into contact with. Doug left everything better than he found it and he will be greatly missed.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife: Ann Goschke of Port St. Lucie; children: Douglas Amil (Marianne) Goschke of Tiffin, Eric (Tracy) Blomme of Kalona, Samantha (Eric) Wiese of New Liberty, Iowa, Tony (Annette) Blomme of Camanche, Iowa, and Chandra Goschke of Kalona; eight grandchildren: Carah Reimer, Douglas Wiese, Alex Meister, Thomas Blomme, Matthew Blomme, Robert Wiese, Harper Goschke, and Mia Goschke; and siblings: Pamela Goschke (Tim Meyer) of Amana and Sue (Gary) Gravert of Albia, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents: June B. and Amil Gene Goschke; and his sister: Junean E. Witham Grady.
Fry Funeral Home of Tipton, has been entrusted with his care, with Lensing Funeral Home kindly assisting and providing their facilities for the visitation and funeral services.
Visitation for Doug will be held from 4-7 p.m., Monday, March 10, 2025, at Lensing Funeral Home in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held the following morning, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 10 a.m., at Lensing Funeral Home. Doug will be laid to rest at Wellman Cemetery. A Celebration of Life for family and close friends will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025. For questions on any of the services or the Celebration of Life, please email goschkequestions@gmail.com.
Online condolences, fond memories, and photos of Doug may be shared at Fry Funeral Home’s website: www.fryfuneralhome.com.
