Donnie Paul Goecke, 43

Donnie Paul Goecke fought the good fight and finished his race. He was welcomed into his Heavenly Father's arms on Monday, Oct. 20, 2014. His favorite verse was Philippians 4:8-9 and he lived it.

Donnie was born July 30, 1971, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Sheila Nelson and Gary Marvin Goecke.

He was in the Marines security forces in Bangor, Wash. While a Marine, Donnie was a member of the silent drill team. He was honorably discharged and returned to Post Falls where he married Lauri and started his family. Donnie and Lauri were both PFHS graduates. They moved to Moscow where he worked full time for Logos Christian School while earning a degree in Landscape Architecture.

Upon returning to Coeur d'Alene, Donnie started his career and worked for Landmark at Architects West for the last nine years. However, his full-time career and calling was as a husband and father to his four sons.

Donnie was the spiritual leader in his home and gave his sons a firm foundation. He made Boy Scouts and AWANA priorities in their lives. Oldest son Harrison finished his Eagle Scout and presented Donnie with an award for being the most influential person in his life. Sons Noah and Liam are Life Scouts on their road to becoming Eagle Scouts. Son Tristan is a 1st Class Scout.

Donnie loved breakfasts and other one-on-one meetings where the topic was rarely him. He was concerned with people and their needs, and always wanted to help. He was a prayer warrior.

Backpacking with his sons was a source of pride and joy. This summer they completed a 60-mile hike and put the photos on the Internet to prove it. Donnie's favorite area to camp and hike was the Coeur d'Alene River drainage. Rain or shine he enjoyed taking his sons and dog to enjoy God's creation.

Donnie enjoyed his community and home and knew the name of every plant and tree in his neighborhood. He was an ultra-runner, so who could keep up with him? Not many. He regularly ran from his employment in Coeur d'Alene to his home in Post Falls. He took the "scenic route" on the south side of the river. He could easily run 39-plus miles.

Donnie is survived by his loving wife Lauri, to whom he was married for 23 years; sons Harrison (19), Noah (17), Liam (15), and Tristan (13); his mother, Sheila Nelson; father Gary Goecke; sisters Cindy Macdonald (Michael) and Erikka Barrick (Greg); and numerous extended family members and friends all over the world.

A celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at North Country Chapel, 2281 W. Seltice Ave., Post Falls. Pastor Chris Martinez will be officiating. A reception will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Post Falls Senior Center, 1215 E. Third Ave., Post Falls.

Visit Donnie's memorial and sign the online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.