A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Shiloh Lutheran Church, Elmore. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Elmore, with military honors conducted by the Sanford American Legion Post # 192. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Tuesday at Shiloh Lutheran Church in Elmore, MN, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Oakcrest Funeral Services of Buffalo Center in charge of arrangements.

Eldon was born on the family farm south of Elmore on December 11, 1931, the son of Arthur and Marie (Kessel) Goeke. He went to county school graduating from Lakota High School in 1949. Eldon served his country for 2 years in the United States Army. He married Joan Johnson on April 21, 1957, at Hope Lutheran Church in Titonka, IA. He and Joan had 2 children. Eldon worked at the Elmore Farmer’s Elevator for many years and retired from the Department of Agriculture.

Eldon taught Gun Safety for several years. He taught a lot of kids the importance of respecting the gun, of how a gun worked and how to care for it. He was active in the Shiloh Lutheran Church in Elmore. He taught Sunday school and served on the church council. Eldon loved his family, fishing, the outdoors and dancing with Joan. . He cherished his family time going up north to The Whitefish Chain since 1961. He served as a town councilman for many years and was part of the many melodramas that were held in Elmore. In between all of this, he always made time for his family.

Eldon is survived by his son, Dr. James (Lynn) Goeke of Salem OR; a daughter, Jacque (Robert Gallant and Cassie Gallant) Rieffer-Gallant of Elmore, MN; his sister, Arliss Ullmann of Buffalo Center, IA; his grandsons, David Goeke of Tacoma, WA, and Daniel Goeke of Salem, OR; and his granddaughters, Toni (Brian) Schimdt of Tea, SD, and Randi (AJ Yackley) Rieffer of Winnebago, MN. He is also survived by his adopted family, Dr. James and Julie (Hager) Laferreire and their daughters (he called them his granddaughters), Elizabeth and Nicole; several nieces and nephews, cousins; and lots of friends.

Eldon is proceeded in death by his parents, Art and Marie (Kessel) Goeke; his wife, Joan; two brothers, Duane and Roger; a sister, Arlene Evans; a brother-in-law, Frank Ullmann; and his parents-in-law, John and Bernice (Amerson) Johnson.

Online condolences may be left to www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.

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