General Informatio
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Full Name: Clifford Goebel
Date of Birth: February 1, 1927
Date of Death: January 18, 2013
Cliff’s life story
Clifford W. Goebel
On Tuesday, February 1, 1927 in Lehr, North Dakota, Clifford Wilbert was born to parents John and Caroline (Koepplin) Goebel. He attended Lehr elementary and Lehr High School. After high school, Cliff joined the Navy and entered the aeronautical program, but the war ended and he was sent home. He attended one semester at Jamestown College, but decided to stay home and help his parents on the farm.
In 1948, Cliff’s family moved to Minnesota and eventually bought a farm in St. Paul Park. Cliff spent his time tending to the farm and crops until 1952, when he was drafted into the US Army and served in Korea and Japan. He was discharged as a Corporal in June of 1954.
On October 10, 1954 in St. Paul, MN, Cliff married Ellorine Evelyn Schimke. Cliff returned to farm duties as well as working in a print shop. They settled down first in St. Paul, then traveled west to Ashley, ND in 1963 and later to Bowdle, SD in 1969, where Cliff spent his career as owner and manager of Ashley Livestock and later Bowdle Livestock Sales Co., until selling the business in 1989.
Cliff and Ellorine were blessed with three children. Roxanne Lea, born June 14, 1956, Michael John born August 6, 1959, and Steven Allen born May 17, 1977. His family was of special importance and time spent with them was always a very happy time for him.
With a love for horses, Cliff bought his first mare in 1979 and started raising Thoroughbreds. He enjoyed the success he had in raising horses from foals, and seeing them in the winners circle. In 1990, Cliff and Ellorine moved to the Prior Lake area to pursue horse racing. He continued to own and race horses until 2003. He also worked as a cashier, until retiring in 2009.
In 2004, Cliff and Ellorine purchased a townhome in Montgomery, MN and worked part time. In February of 2012, Cliff was diagnosed with cancer. In November of 2012 due to his health, they moved to Augustana Regent Home in Burnsville, MN.
The early evening of Friday, January 18, 2013, Cliff, age 85, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family at Augustana Regent, after a year-long battle with cancer. He lived a very full and happy life.
He is deeply missed and will always be remembered by those who loved him, wife of 58 years, Ellorine of Burnsville, MN; sons, Michael (Lori) Goebel of Hinsdale, IL, Steven (Rachel) Goebel of Savage, MN; daughter, Roxanne (Donald) Gill of Eureka, SD; grandchildren, Matthew (Sarah), Chelsea (Chris) Roberts, Lauren, McKenzie, Mila and Maxx; sister, Martha Lushanko of Paradise, CA; other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Cliff is preceded in death by parents; brothers, Alvin Goebel, John Goebel; and sister LaVina (Harry) Petersen.
Pallbearers for Clifford will be Matthew Gill, Chris Roberts, Dale Radanke, Duane Gedrose, Jaime Resop and Bo Bryant.
The visitation is Thursday, January 24, from 4-7 pm at and one hour prior to the Celebration of Life Service on Friday, January 25 at 10:30 am, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. Pastor Bill Nixon will preside. Cliff will be laid to rest at Cottage Grove Cemetery, in Cottage Grove, MN, with full Army military honors.
The Goebel family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Prior Lake Chapel.
Visitation
When: Thursday, January 24, 2013 4-7 p.m.
Location: Ballard – Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant Street SE
Prior Lake, Minnesota
Service Information
When: Friday, January 25, 2013 10:30 a.m.
Location: Ballard – Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant Street SE
Prior Lake, Minnesota
Interment Information
Friday, January 25th, 3:30 p.m.
Location: Cottage Grove Cemetery
Address: Cottage Grove, MN
