Howard Godel

Howard Allen Godel, 84, a resident of Fergus Falls, peacefully passed away Monday, November 22, 2010, at the Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls, surrounded by his family. He was born January 16, 1926, in Fergus Falls, the son of Leonard and Mary (Kays) Godel. He grew up on a farm near Silver Lake, and attended Battle Lake High School. He proudly served in the U. S. Army from 1944 – 1946, stationed in the European Theater of Operations (ETO). On August 29, 1948, he married Juel Raguse in Fergus Falls. They were blessed with four children, Janet, Sandra, Craig, and Jody. Howard worked for Art Fosse Transport for over 40 years and was especially proud of being nominated for “National Truck Driver of the Year”. He enjoyed hunting, fishing trips with his brother, Chuck, spending time at his cottage on Long Lake, gardening and tinkering with small engines. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and Grace United Methodist Church. Preceding him in death were his parents, and two brothers, Wilton and Edwin. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Juel, of Fergus Falls; four children: Janet (Russ) Nelson of Fergus Falls, Sandra (Randy) Vorwerk of Hendrum, MN, Craig (Barb) Godel of Moorhead, and Jody Dahl (special friend Rick Anderson) of Fergus Falls; grandchildren: Stacy (Scott) Kolle, Tara (Mark) Manuel, Matt Nelson, Keri Nelson (Chris Feucht), Kris Vorwerk, Ryan Vorwerk, Carly (Leroy) Bosworth, Cody Godel, and Angela Godel (Eric Krog); eight great-grandchildren: Daniel, Chase, Maggie, Elias, Samantha, Thomas, Allison, and Brandon; his brothers, Myron (Shirley) Godel of Kennewick, WA, Charles (Beverly) Godel of Elbow Lake, Irvin (Darlene) Godel of Glencoe, and Homer (Deloris) Godel of Moorhead; two sisters-in-law, Marian Godel of Battle Lake, and Barbara Godel of Alma, WI; and his longtime friend, Orman Kielmeyer of Fergus Falls. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, November 27, 2010, at Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:  Reverend Robert Kandels Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Military participation by the Fergus Falls VFW and American Legion Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to the Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls