William “Bill” Godeke was born in the township of Bogus Brook, county of Mille Lacs in Minnesota on Feb. 19, 1925, to Albert and Gladys Godeke. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 17, 2019.

He grew up on the family farm with his four brothers and five sisters. In 1940, he moved to Hollandale and worked for the Ravenhorsts. In 1944, he was inducted into the Army and served in Okinawa and the Philippines. He was discharged from the military in 1946.

Upon returning home, Bill married his loving wife, Lois Rose Veldman, on Aug. 12, 1948. They celebrated 69 years of marriage, to which they had four children.

Bill started his lifetime career with Sorensen Bros. Inc. in Albert Lea, building interstate highways and roads across Minnesota and Iowa. Bill was a member of Hollandale Christian Reformed Church and was active in Hollandale Christian School during their children’s school years. He also served on the Hollandale Fire Department and was a member of the American Legion.

Bill enjoyed time with his family and friends. Over the years he enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including fishing, snowmobiling, hunting, bowling, hiking and golfing, splitting the year spending winters in Arizona and the remainder of their time in Minnesota.

Bill is survived by his four children, Sharon McCallum, Larry Godeke, Lora (Kent) Karsjens and Cindy (Michael) Clapp; grandchildren Amy (Matt) Brand, Brian (Holly) Karsjens, Jason (Brittaney) Clapp and Colton Clapp; great-grandchildren Abby, Gwen, Simon and Marcus Brand, Brayden Karsjens, Tearick Clapp and Callie Clapp; sisters-in-law Alice Cox, Virginia Coburn, Betty Veldman and Virginia Newbury; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; son-in-law, Michael Clapp; grandson, Cody Clapp; brothers John (Grace) Godeke, Albert (Grace) Godeke, Garret (Hilda) Godeke and Bernie (Alice) Godeke; and sisters Dena (Bert) Bekius, Lyd (Dick) Roosendahl, Gladys (Hank) Roelofs, Jean (Engel) Nienoord and Frieda (Clarence) De Jong.

The family of Bill Godeke will have a celebration of his life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Hollandale Christian Schoool or the charity of the donor’s choice.