YANKTON, S.D. — Earl J. Goeden, 89, Yankton, S.D., died March 27, 2023, at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton.

Mass of Christian Burial was March 30 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Menominee, with Rev. An Duy Phan officiating.

Burial was in the parish cemetery, with Military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #183 and the SDARNGHG.

The pallbearers were Randy Goeden, Keith Goeden, Brian Goeden, Kevin Corey, Rolly Goeden, Steve Goeden, Rick Havermann, Bob Goeden and Eric Goeden.

Visitation was one hour prior to the church services.

The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, assisted with the service details.

Earl was born Nov. 17, 1933, at home in Crofton, to Frank J. and Frances (Schmitt) Goeden. He was the sixth child born to a family of 10. Earl attended elementary school in a one room school at District 11 country school for two years and six years at St. Boniface Catholic School, Menominee. He graduated from Yankton High School in 1951. In 1954, Earl joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Earl was awarded The National Defense Service Medal, The Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) and The Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1958. Earl worked on the family farm in Crofton u ntil the mid 1960s when he went to Glacier National Park, Mont., to work on the excavating team for two years. Earl then moved to Basin Wyoming and was employed by the Big Horn County as a heavy equipment operat or for 40 years. Earl also was a cattle rancher and raised barley. Earl loved Wyoming and the life he had on his 360-acre ranch.

Earl had many friends and enjoyed visiting friends and going to the casinos. He would always come back to Nebraska at Christmas to see his family. He was a great teaser, especially with all his nieces and neph ews. Earl moved back to the Yankton area in October 2019 to be close r to his family. Earl was also a Knights of Columbus 3rd degree.

Survivors include his brothers, Gerard (Audrey), Marvin (Angela), Duane; sisters, Charlotte (Andy) Kirkitelos, Elaine Corey and Leonette Murray; his special friend, Jackie Payne; 42 nieces and nephews, numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother; his oldest brother, Jerome; his sisters, Ethel (Ray) Havermann and Dorothy (Roland) Richard; brothers-in-law, Wayne Corey and John B. Murray; and his sister-in-law, Janet Goeden.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the St. Boniface Cemetery Fund.