Davenport Public Library: In Memoriam: Andrea (Pingel) Godke

Press release from the Davenport Public Library:

March 25, 2021

We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend and co-worker Andrea Godke, who died this past Saturday, March 20, 2021, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Andrea Lea Pingel was born at 8:33 am on Tuesday, October 18, 1960, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Davenport, Iowa to Merle and Erma (Schlapkohl) Pingel of New Liberty, Scott County, Iowa. She attended North Scott High School in Eldridge and received an accounting degree from the American Institute of Commerce in Davenport in 1990.

Andrea began working in the Circulation Department at the Davenport Public Library on March 28, 1994. When the Fairmount Street Branch opened in 2005 she became part of the core group of staff that worked at that location. She put her accounting skills to use keeping track of overdue books. Andrea was an expert at her job and watching her work was like taking a master’s class in circulation procedures.

She was a longtime member of The Library’s Staff Association, helping to plan staff anniversary and retirement parties, hosting staff cookouts at her home, taking our empty pop cans back to the store for the deposit money, and collecting donations on our fundraising jeans days.

Andrea loved being outdoors and being active in many sports. She participated in various sand volleyball leagues with other current and former library staff. She was full of life and inspired everyone to get moving!

We will miss her impeccable work ethic, playful personality, and that beautiful smile that lit up the entire library.

(posted by Cristina)

This press release was produced by the Davenport Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.