Walter Goedel

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 8, 2013 at 11:00 am at St. John Lutheran Church, with Pastor Stephen Meltzer officiating. Visitation is Thursday, February 7, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Schuller Funeral Home and from 9:30 to the time of service at the church on Friday. Walter Goedel passed away on Sunday, February 3, 2013 at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena, Minnesota. Walter was born December 29, 1923 to parents Oscar and Anna (Feyerherm) Goedel on the home farm southwest of Wadena in Compton Township. He attended country school and graduated from Wadena High School in 1942. He farmed for many years and then went into the farm machinery business under the name of Goedel Implement. Walter was very generous with his time and resources. He believed in giving back to the community, and a top priority was the youth. He donated time and financial assistance on many projects such as establishing the Cyber Café on main street in Wadena, the Train Depot Museum, Wadena County public transit (Friendly Rider) and was very supportive of the Wadena Area Chamber of Commerce. As a county commissioner from Compton Township, he worked towards relocation of the Wadena airport. He cleared the land for a park on Highway 29 which was named for him. In this endeavor he coordinated and supervised the efforts of many community organizations and individuals. He loved his church and was a generous supporter and lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church. In 2002, Walter was named Grand Marshall of the Wadena June Jubilee Parade in recognition of his community service. Along with other efforts to support the youth, he was a generous supporter of Lutheran Island Camp in Henning, Minnesota and was on their board of directors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, pitching horseshoes, watching boxing matches, playing pinochle, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor and always had a great comeback line. Walter was preceded in death by his parents, sister Elaine Olson, and nephews David Olson and Gary Christensen. He is survived by his sister Marlene (Loren) Christensen, nieces, one nephew, and many cousins. Pallbearers are Ivan Reinke, Dean Ersfeld, Tim Fultz, Gregg Spencer, Les Schwartz, and Gary Zacharias. Burial will be in Wadena Cemetery. The family suggests memorials go to Lutheran Island Camp or St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena.

Walter Goedel

December 29, 1923 - February 3, 2013