Donald Leroy Gooden

Donald LeRoy Gooden was born February 15, 1924, on a farm near Silver City in Mills County, IA to Lily Esther McGill and Ollie Louis Gooden. He moved to Freeborn County with his family at age 2. Don attended country schools in the area and graduated from Alden High School in 1942. While there he excelled in track competing in high jump, broad jump, and holding the record in the half mile for several years. He served in the Navy during WWII. Don wed Mescal Halvorsen November 14, 1944. Pastor A. H. Oerke performed the ceremony at Emmons Lutheran Parsonage. After Don's honorable discharge from the Navy, the young family moved to the farm on 640th Ave. then known as "Wall St". Don served on #84 school board until the school was closed and as president of Freeborn Co. Farmers' Union for many years. He farmed all his life and for several years made tillage wheels and "mini skirts" which he had designed for use on corn planters at Valley Mfg. Co. which he formed and owned. Don is survived by his wife, Mescal; 6 children: Sharyl Hawker, Jackie Allan Dahl, Lonna Joe VanHorn, Larry Leslea Gooden, Shannon Brian Butenbach Albertson, and Melanie John Szymanowski Gooden; 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 4 step great-grandchildren; sister Betty Harland Fosness, brothers and sisters-in-law, Leo "Bud" Alma Halvorsen, Paul Darlene Halvorsen, Rodney Barbara Halvorsen, Ingri Russell Krech, Ed Woynowskie, Marian Gooden, and Jeanette Gooden. Donald was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ollie Bo, Robert, and Orville; sisters and brothers-in-law, Roger Peterson, Rose Halvorsen, Doris Woynowskie, Maxine Halvorsen; and grandsons, Daniel Hawker and Trevor Albertson.