Lamoyne Emmet Godbey

LaMoyne Godbey, age 96, of Garretson, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 19, 2010, at Palisade Manor in Garretson. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson. Visitation will be from 2-4:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson and will resume with the family present at 5:00 P.M. at the church with a Rosary and Scripture Service beginning at 7:00 P.M.

LaMoyne Emmet Godbey was born in Sherman, South Dakota on October 12, 1913 to Ackley and Jessie (Raymond) Godbey. He attended country school and graduated from Sherman High School and to the best of our knowledge; he was one of the last surviving alumni. He moved to Pipestone in 1937 and married Doris Frank on October 12, 1939. Doris passed away on November 11, 1978. He served his country in the Navy from 1944-46.

LaMoyne learned butchering and meat cutting from his father, working in that profession in the Pipestone, Brookings and Garretson areas until 1971. He then took a custodial position at the Garretson School District, retiring in 1981. LaMoyne served on the Garretson City Council for 14 years, was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 23 as well as 40/8 of Sioux Falls. He provided rides for the elderly for many years as a member of the H.E.L.P. Program in Garretson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith in 1991 and became a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson.

LaMoyne enjoyed his retirement in a way most could only dream. He purchased his home in 1964 where he lived, mowed the lawn, and fed his birds until the age of 93. He spent many Sundays playing cards with his special friend, Boots Theel. Their Saturday nights dancing kept him young for so long. LaMoyne had a part-time job cleaning the municipal liquor store in Garretson. Although the business was sold and changed hands many times, LaMoyne always went with the business. Finally at the age of 85, we decided it was time to slow down.

You could set your clock by LeMoyne. He went downtown at 9:00 A.M. for coffee and the mail and then back downtown at 5:00 P.M. for a smoke of his pipe and a glass of icy cold beer. LaMoyne lived a charmed life until he fell and broke his hip which required him to move to Palisade Manor.

Grateful for having shared his life are his children: Jim (Judy) of Sioux Falls, Mary Ellen (Kenneth) Pierret of Garretson, Tom (Karla) of Garretson, Cheryl (Larry) Neustel of Sioux Falls, Jeanne (special friend Larry Robins) Meyer of Elkton, and Gayle (Alan) Franka of Britton; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and a brother, Merle.