George Basil Gould Jr., aged 82, passed away at his home on December 16, 2023. A Celebration of George’s Life will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday, December 28, 2023, closing with Military Honors at 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 1 st St W, Jordan, MN 55352. George will be laid to rest at Spirit Hill Cemetery in Jordan, MN.
George was born on October 15, 1941 to George and Julia (Cook) Gould Sr. in Marshalltown, Iowa. The youngest of six kids, he was raised in Liscomb with his five older sisters. Growing up in a small town, George loved to fish and hunt with his dad at an early age, which would become a lifelong hobby for him.
After graduating high school, George enlisted in the Navy in 1963 and served honorably for four years before his discharge in 1967. During his service, he served as a machinist, which became his civilian profession. Once back from the Navy, George moved to Minnesota and bought a house in Jordan. He loved being close to the river so he could fish and hunt. He cherished his small-town life and moved even further into the country to Sand Creek Township.
As a precision machinist, George built himself a long, successful career. He worked for MTS for almost 40 years, making parts for all kinds of projects. He was particularly proud of his work on the Indiana Jones Roller Coaster located in Disneyland.
While in Jordan, George met Nancy Hessing on a blind date. Despite initial hesitation, George and Nancy hit it off and were united in marriage at their house under the oak trees on June 12, 1999. Together, they were blessed to raise Matthew and Molly. Having children, and later grandchildren, brought out a whole new side to George. He was so proud of his kids and loved to share his passions of pheasant and goose hunting and fishing with Matthew. He would sit outside, watch the stars, and talk about the universe with Molly for hours and hours. Him and Molly enjoyed their road trips to Iowa listening to “Iowa music” (50s and 60s music).
When he was blessed with grandchildren, they became his pride and joy. They enjoyed 4-wheeler rides, going over the “big jump”, and spending as much time together as they could. George loved animals and the outdoors, hosting people for bonfires, and hunting for mushrooms. When it came to competition, whether it was playing horseshoes or the card game “Pepper” on the weekends, George would kick your ass and make sure you knew it. He loved sports, particularly the Iowa Hawkeyes, and always stayed sharp and up to date with the stats and important details.
Strong-willed, kind-hearted, competitive, and yet easy-going, George is loved and will be greatly missed by his wife, Nancy Gould; children, Matthew (Amy) Gould, Molly Gould (Nick Rist); grandchildren, Keira, Freya, and Georgie; three sisters; and many, many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters.
