Doris Anne Cassens Goering, age 83, of Ames, died at home with her family by her side on Aug. 5, 2021.
Born April 3, 1938, in Sigourney, Doris was the daughter of Harvey and Margaret (Goeldner) Cassens. She grew up on a farm and graduated from Sigourney High School. She married Scott County native Donald H. Goering on June 22, 1958, in Sigourney.
Doris received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in education from University of Northern Iowa with special education certification from Iowa State University and Drake University. Doris was a lifetime member of the Northern Iowa Alumni Association.
Doris devoted her life to serving others. She taught in regular and special education classrooms for 40 years in three school districts, retiring as a second-grade teacher from Meeker Elementary in Ames. One of her greatest joys was learning of former students’ successes. Doris helped start the Meeker Grandma Club and the Marengo preschool program. She received the ISEA Educator Excellence Award and the Mason’s Outstanding Teacher Award.
The Iowa 4-H Program was important to Doris. She served as a 4-H club leader, Story County 4-H communication chairperson, county 4-H Judge, State Fair 4-H communication judge, State Fair 4-H volunteer, and with Don began the Goering 4-H Communication Scholarship. She was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame, recognized as a Diamond Clover for her years of service and named an honorary Story County 4-H member.
Doris and Don moved to Ames in 1972 and joined Northminster Presbyterian Church, becoming active members. She assisted in the creation of the NPC Scholarship program, which she chaired for nine years. She co-founded the Shared Blessings program, which distributes essential items to families in need.
Doris was a Rotary partner to Don, in every sense of the word. A Paul Harris Fellow, she was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian Spouse/Partner Service Award. Doris and Don traveled to all 50 states with their children, and through Rotary traveled to all continents except Antarctica. Doris was a devoted Iowa State fan, except when ISU played UNI, attending Cyclone football games for over 60 years, as well as attending men’s and women’s basketball games. Doris was a 58-year member of P.E.O.
Doris is survived by her husband, Donald H. Goering, her daughter, Deborah Anne Goering Sinclair (Brian Sinclair), and their daughters, Heather Anne Sinclair (fiancé Evan Maly) and Hannah Elizabeth Sinclair; her son, Dennis Harlan Goering (Julie Kae Rees Goering) and their son, Rees Donald Harlan Goering; her sister, Kathleen Cassens Shaver; nieces and nephews, Janice, Jean, Joy, Charles, Sally, Mary, David, Becky, Scott, Pat, and great nieces and nephews.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Harvey Cassens, brother Charles Cassens, sister Janice Cassens and nephew James Cassens.
The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1416 20th Street, Ames, Iowa 50010, and for an hour prior to services. A celebration of life service for Doris will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Ames. Burial will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Doris always said she wanted to receive flowers while she could enjoy them and insisted that instead of flowers, memorials be directed to the Iowa 4-H Foundation Goering Scholarship, UNI Foundation Goering Scholarship or Northminster Presbyterian Church.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
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