Donald Goracke

Funeral services for Donald Goracke of Alexandria, formerly of Morris, MN will be held Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, MN with Father Todd Schneider officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Morris.

Donald Felix Goracke was born on February 13, 1935, in St. Mary, Nebraska, to Felix and Cecelia (Schuster) Goracke. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Chokio, Minnesota, where Don received his education, graduating with the Chokio High School, class of 1953. While at the Stevens Co. Fair in Morris, Don met Shirley Amborn. The couple was married on August 11, 1956, at the Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Following their marriage, Don and Shirley purchased their home on Park Avenue in Morris and welcomed five children. In 1954, Don began his career with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, first in the Stock Room, and at the time of his retirement in 2000, Don was the Office Manager. Don continued to live in his home on Park Ave. until 2022, when he moved to Grand Arbor in Alexandria.

Don had a life-long love for baseball. He spent a lifetime playing and coaching baseball. Don helped coach sports for all ages – starting with Little League, Babe Ruth, Morris Junior and Senior Legion teams, Morris Tiger Baseball and Girls’ Basketball, UMM Cougar Baseball & Softball, and Morris Senior League. Don organized and ran summer youth baseball camps throughout the area. In September of 2011, Don was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and at Wells Park in Morris, the field was named after Don, Goracke Field.

Don was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Morris and was active with the St. Mary’s School Board, was a eucharistic minister, and for years made doughnuts for the Assumption Fall Bizarre. Don also served on the Morris Park Planning Board, the Stevens County Housing Board, and was a long-time member of the Lions Club. Don was an active man; he could often be seen riding his bike around and running through town. He also enjoyed the outdoors: hunting, fishing, planting and tending to gardens and planting trees – at his home and beyond. A few more of Don’s hobbies included: baking, candy making, woodworking, and photography. He could and would do anything! When his children were younger, the family would also go on camping trips, and slept in a tent that wasn’t rain or racoon proof!

Don died peacefully at his home at Grand Arbor in Alexandria, he was 90 years old.

Donald is survived by his children: Bruce (Julie) Goracke of Rochester, Brian (Vanessa) Goracke of San Tan Valley, AZ, Beth (Chuck) Vossen of Maple Grove, Brenda (Ken) McDonald of Alexandria and Brent (Tanya) Goracke of Jordan; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; brother, Cliff (Kathy) Goracke of Spicer; sister, Marilyn (Herb) Berg of Cyrus; and sister-in-law, Marie Goracke. He is preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Cecelia; his wife, Shirley; and one brother, Earl Goracke.

Memorials are preferred to the Morris Lions, PO Box 433, Morris, Minnesota, 56267.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of arrangements for Don.