Jerald Goens

Jerald Goens, 91, passed away on June 24, 2022 at home on his beloved farm.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 29th at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, with Pastor Michael Enderle officiating.  Music will be provided by Ruth Enderle as organist. 

Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, June 28th, 4:00-7:00 p.m., at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.

Burial will follow the service at the Bemis Cemetery.  Active pallbearers will be Adam Lundquist, Jerad Goens, Eric Kracke, Michael Goens, Austin Solem, and Nick Mack.

Jerald was born at home to John “Jack” and Jennie (Niemann) Goens on February 27, 1931 near Bemis, SD. He attended rural country schools through the 8th grade. Following the death of his father in 1947, he stepped into the role of leading the Goens Family and continued working the family farm. He became an instrumental part of helping his mother raise his younger siblings.

Jerald was united in marriage to Barbara Gerberding on December 24, 1954. This blessed Christmas union brought six children to their family.

Jerald continued his love of farming throughout his lifetime. He began milking on his own in 1958. At his peak, he had a milking operation of around 40-45 cows. While that may not seem like much by today’s standards, in the era of Jerald’s farming, it was a large undertaking. He started a hay grinding business with his brother Gordon in the late 1980’s. Besides farming, he did much custom work for friends and neighbors. He continued working on the farm - even if it just meant giving orders - up to his dying day.

Jerald was a member of St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church in Goodwin and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.

Jerald was probably most well known for his love of farming and John Deere, his edgy sense of humor (there was always a good joke folded up in his wallet!), his frugal money handling, and his love of dancing to a good waltz! He and Barbara often threw a great party to celebrate milestone occasions, and in doing so, built a lifetime of wonderful memories for their family and friends. His love of family was often shown by sharing tips on how to best save your money, by always giving his grandchildren and great-grandchildren their first fudgesicle or Peep, and his sweet tooth for circus peanuts, peppermint candies, and Necco wafers! He will be lovingly remembered for his bib overalls and riding around on his Honda, while admiring his cattle, his crops, and the beautiful farm life he created.

Blessed for sharing his life are his wife of 67 years, Barbara; five of their children and their families: Peggy (Wayne) Lundquist, Sara (Casey) Jost & Adam (Scarlett) Lundquist; Jerome “Jake” (Julie) Goens, Jerad (Amanda) Goens & Jordan (Troy Philippi) Goens; LaVern (Martine) Goens, Kaitlyn (Jim) Dawson; Kenneth (Becky) Goens, Eric (Tami) Kracke, Kelsey Goens & Michael Goens; Diana Solem (Al Schmidt), Austin Solem & Alisa Solem; 12 great-grandchildren: Caden, Jesse, & Levi Jost; Nicole & Natalie Lundquist; Sara Karpen, Jennie, Jack & Jase Goens; Sutton & Berkley Kracke, and Logan Hodges; his siblings: Bernice (Howard) Djonne; Lorna Harstad, Gordon Goens, Mary Hale, Maree Bullock; brother-in-law, Paul Edelsberg & his wife, Sally; sister-in-law, Linda Gerberding; and a host of other family members, nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, DeAnn; infant granddaughter, Erin Goens; brother, Harlan Goens; sister-in-law, Joan Goens; brothers-in-law, Arne Harstad, Jimmie Alford and Stanley Hale; father and mother-in-law, Harry & Dorothy Gerberding; sister-in-law, Carole Edelsberg; and brother-in-law, Wayne Gerberding.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel    www.crawfordosthus.com

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