John Elmer Goodwin

John E. Goodwin, 78, of Garretson, SD passed away unexpectedly on November 11, 2007.

John was born July 8, 1929 in Minneapolis, MN. He grew up in Bradford, MN on his grandparent’s farm and then lived in the cities. After attending the Bradford School through the eighth grade, he joined the United States Army and served from 1946 to 1949 and served in World War II.

In 1959 he met and married Josephine Peterson. They eventually moved back near the Bradford area where they raised four children. He worked for Burlington Northern Railroad for many years, then Target for 10 years after which time he returned to the railroad until his retirement. Since John was very active and unable to just “relax”, he then worked part-time delivering flowers and finally fully retired in the past few years.

John followed his work with the railroad to Garretson, SD, and made his home there. It was here that he met and married Georgia Landreth in 1996 and they moved to Sioux Falls in 2002.

John enjoyed putsing around the yard, riding with his “moped” friends around Garretson, traveling and helping others. Together with Georgia they traveled to all but two states in the United States. He was very involved with the FFA and led the project of building the iron gates at Split Rock Park and Jesse James Park.

He is survived by his wife, Georgia Goodwin of Sioux Falls; sister-in-law, Karen Hale of Coon Rapids, son, John (Brenda) Goodwin Jr. of Kansas City, MO; three daughters, Janice (Buck) Lauseng of Cambridge; Jennifer Mullin of Big Lake; and Joyce (Stan) Hanson of Cambridge; two step children, David (Debbie) Landreth of Sioux Falls and Barb (Tom) Langpap of Sioux Falls, 9 grandchildren, Jeremy (Amber), Joshua (Marie), Amanda (Paul), Brandon (Teresa), Andrew, David, Stephen, Amber and Katie Jo, 2 great-grandchildren, Ayden and Mary and one on the way, step-grandchildren, John, Greta, Carmen (Sam), Shannon (Erik) and 4 step great grand children, McKenzie, Averie, Adin, Ethan, and many friends.

John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred and Lillian Goodwin, mother, Geneva Hale, brother, Ronald Hale and step son, Ross Landreth.

Funeral service will be held on November 15 at 1:30 P.M. at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson, SD. Graveside service at Nichols Cemetery in Bradford, MN on November 17 at 10:30 A.M. Arrangements by Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson, SD and Strike Funeral Home in Cambridge, MN.