Ervin H. Godes, 82, Dickinson, died Saturday, February 17, 2018 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson, after a short battle with cancer. Erv’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, February 22, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Keith Streifel as the celebrant. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military Honors will be provided by the Dickinson American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service with Deacon Al Schwindt presiding.
Ervin Herbert Godes was born September 18, 1935 in Beulah to Michael “Mike” and Philemina “Minnie” (Steiner) Godes. He grew up in Haymarsh. The family moved to Richardton where he completed his education through the eighth grade. When old enough, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on the buddy system. He served from 1953 to 1956 as a tank mechanic in Germany.
He was married to Geraldine “Gerry” Schulz and to this union three daughters and one son were born. Terri (Lee) Eberts, Dickinson, Melinda Schoch, Round Rock, Texas, Curt (Tammy) Godes, Englewood, Colo., and Stacey (Mike) Lewis, Bismarck.
He later found his best friend and life-long love, Geraldine Turner. Ervin and Geraldine were married July 31, 1976 and lived in Dickinson. Geraldine passed away in July 2012. He was proud to say he had six children which included Geraldine’s children, Kim Braun, Dickinson and Kay (Curt) Haider, Dickinson.
Ervin worked various jobs before moving to Dickinson. After working for Dickinson Plumbing and Heating a number of years, he started Erv’s Plumbing and Heating in 1976. He sold it in 2001 and retired.
He was a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Eagles, St. Anthony Club and was a Dickinson Rural Fire Dept. volunteer for many years. Ervin enjoyed spending time with family and weekends at the lake. He enjoyed gambling trips and playing cards with friends.
His greatest joys were his grandchildren, Erin (Ace) Bedich, Josh (Lorrissa) Bohlman, Codi (Boon) Newson, Holly (Tony) Schamber, Kelsie (fiancé, Joey Pryzbyla) Schoch, Myranda (Jacob) Elmer, Nathan Muth, Shane (Desi) Stangle, Brian Braun, Alexis Braun, Deven (Kayla) Turner, and Jordyn Ebbole; great-grandchildren, Grace, Lola, and Trey Bedich, Cade and Adley Bohlman, Bradlie, Blake and Rhett Newson, Jaxson and Kru Schamber, Trent Pennington, Landry, Harrison, Emmeric, Matyas and Jacoby Elmer, Jade, Dennis and Skylar Stangle, Blaine Turner and Oliver Ebbole; sister, Ann Conlon, Seattle, Wash.; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Godes, Colville, Wash., and Shirley Godes, Dickinson; brother-in-law, Wayne Grimestad, Dickinson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Geraldine; in-laws, Les and Evelyn Madsen; brothers, Herman, Reinhard “Reiny”, Nicholas “Nick”, and Clemens “Clem”; brother-in-law, Robert Conlon; sister-in-law, Dolores Godes; and sons-in-law, Roger Bohlman and Allen Stangle. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Stark County Veterans Memorial Association, PO Box 929, Dickinson, ND 58602 or the Dickinson Rural Fire Dept., PO Box 1301, Dickinson, ND 58602.
