David Lee Goodell

Williamsburg-

David Lee Goodell was born October 9, 1947 in Eldora, Iowa. He was the son of Duane and Mary (Allbee) Goodell. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1968-1970 earning numerous meritorious awards including the bronze star for heroism. David was united in marriage to Lori Ann Reicks on July 4, 1986, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. He spent his career as a commercial decorator/painter. Dave enjoyed traveling, music concerts/festivals, golfing, gold mining, rock hounding, mushroom hunting, hiking, kayaking and photography.

Over the years Dave acquired numerous nicknames. Whether you knew him as Duke, Hollywood or Sam one thing that was consistent was his quick wit, endless jokes and absolute ridiculousness which made his children cringe quite often in their high school years. They could often be heard saying “can you just behave dad”.

A true child of nature Dave spent hours in the timber and caring for the land. He never went anywhere that he didn’t carry a garbage bag to pick up garbage found along the way. You could often see him out photographing the countryside and his beloved sunsets. His deep connection to nature was his spiritual strength.

Dave was a very generous person who spent some of his spare time helping his fellow veterans sign up for their VA benefits, cleaning veterans gravestones in cemeteries across Iowa, taking cash gifts to the homeless in Iowa City, taking morel mushrooms to friends and neighbors who were disabled or couldn’t do the hunt anymore. Dave always said he did this not because he had so much, but because they had so little. Dave was an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Sierra Club, ACLU, Gold Prospectors, Audubon Society, and the BWCA. A true lover of life, a child of nature, warrior for social justice and a generous soul.

Of all the things Dave cherished, his wife and children were always at the top of his list. Dave’s unbounded and absolute devotion to his children and grandchildren (especially his first grandchild, Lincoln) was unmatched and without a doubt his most important legacy and work. He often told his beloved bride Lori that his life didn’t start until he had met her. Dave died at home Thursday April 16th 2026, at the age of 78 years surrounded by his beloved family.

He is survived by his wife, Lori; two children: Dakotah (Joe) Kirkpatrick of Iowa City and Nick (Abby Padilla) Goodell of Urbandale; three grandchildren: Lincoln, Shaefer and Evans Kirkpatrick; two sisters: Linda Goodell of Queensland, Australia and Kathy (Gale) Bengtson of Iowa Falls, special nieces Nikki Goodell(Rob)and Jill(Goodell)Harryman of Des Moines;

in-laws: Sandy Mathews of New Hampton, Pat Ahern of Cresco, Barb (Dave) Schmauss of Eagle Grove, Dave (Faye Kozelka) Reicks of Decorah, Debbie Reicks of Kendallville, Dean (Jayne Burnikel) Reicks of Cresco and Sharon (Bob Cox) Reicks of New Hampton and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Douglas Goodell, mother and father-in-law Denis and Katy Reicks, and in-laws Mike Reicks, Bill and Sandy (Heyer) Reicks, Al Reicks, Mark Ahern, and Bernie Mathews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 1:00 pm Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Fireside Winery at 1755 P Avenue, Marengo, Iowa 52301. Visitation will begin following the service until 4:00 pm. Burial will be at a later date at the St. Kieran’s Catholic Cemetery. Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg is assisting the family. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.