Sidney Walter Goemer passed away peacefully at Methodist Hospital surrounded by his family on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 at the age of 91 following a brief battle with cancer.
A funeral service was held on Monday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with Rev. Eugene DeVries officiating. Following lunch at the church, interment was held at Lake Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield, MN.
Visitation was on Sunday evening, Oct. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel and one hour prior to the service on Monday at Grace Lutheran Church.
Sid was born on October 25, 1932 in rural Darwin to Walter Goemer and Alvina (Lewerenz) Goemer. He was the 4th in a family of 5 children (Verona, Wallace, Marion and Sharon) and grew up on the family farm, attending District 66 country school in Ellsworth Township and Litchfield High School. His favorite childhood memories included going to the free outdoor movies in Darwin when candy bars were a nickel; hunting and fishing with his dad; playing sports and cards and roller skating. When he was 17, he met his beloved Jo at the Cokato roller skating rink.
On Aug. 7, 1954, Sid was united in marriage with Marion Josephine (Jo) Gunnary at the Cokato Apostolic Lutheran Church. After spending two years in the Army at Fort Hancock, New Jersey where Craig was born, they made their home at the Goemer family dairy and crop farm in rural Darwin. Sid enjoyed farming, especially his dairy animals, and he took great pride in expanding and improving his operation. He was a lifelong learner and was active in many dairy and agricultural organizations.
Sid was a devoted husband to Jo and father to Craig, Lori, Lee, Carolyn and Mark. His family was his priority and he made time to build snowmen, swim at Lake Manuella, help with 4-H projects and listen to confirmation memory work. His nephews and nieces frequently stayed there and remember the blend of work and fun, the farm “critters” and his loving interest in them. Both strong and caring, he navigated life’s challenges with a steadfast faith in God and his fellow man. He was a lifelong and active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Ellsworth where he volunteered in the community and served on the church council.
After Sid and Jo retired from farming, they enjoyed traveling. His favorite trips included a farm tour of Australia and New Zealand, visiting Europe, Hawaii and Alaska, Caribbean cruises and many visits to Branson, Missouri.
He had 11 grandchildren who all have special memories of staying with Grandpa and Grandma, feeling wonderfully loved and supported, and quite frankly, spoiled. Highlights included tractor and lawn mower rides, swimming at the beach, feeding the cats and climbing trees.
Sid is preceded in death by his wife, Jo, and survived by his children, Craig (Carol) of Alexandria, Lori (Dave) Noel of Golden Valley, Lee of Elk River, Carolyn (Cal) Dornbush of Woodbury, and Mark (Stacey) of Delano; and grandchildren, Natasha (Jeff) Mills, Angela (Ryan) Heidelberger, Brett (Tiffany) Noel, Amy (Matt) Anderson, Melissa Skoglund, Jeffrey Noel, Megan Dornbush, Alyssa Noel, Michael (Christina) Dornbush, Cedar Goemer, Quentin Goemer, seven bonus grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters’ Mary Steele of Madison, Wisconsin and Sharon (Richard) Elmquist of Breezy Point; his sisters-in-law Dorothy Goemer of Litchfield and Barbara Gunnary and Teddy Kothe of Annandale and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home, Dassel.