Delbert Goodwin

**  TO VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE, CLICK WEBLINK ABOVE **** DUE TO THE WEATHER, THE SERVICE HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 10 am Monday ** Delbert Goodwin, age 69 of Fruitdale, died Thursday, September 26, 2013 at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, surrounded by his loving family. The funeral service will be held 10 am Friday, October 4th, 2013 at the First Congregational Church of Christ in Belle Fourche, with Pastor Del Neumeister officiating. Visitation will be held 5 to 7 pm Thursday, with a 6 pm public prayer service, at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Interment will take place in the Bear Butte Cemetery, in Sturgis. Delbert Leroy Goodwin was born to James Vern and Edith (Rankin) Goodwin at their home east of Hereford, SD on January 14, 1944. He began his education at a one-room country school which he attended until the eighth grade. Afterward, Delbert attended New Underwood High School where he discovered his love for football. After graduating high school in 1962, Delbert entered college at the South Dakota School of Mines. He played football and continued to do so at Black Hill State College when he transferred there. He graduated from Black Hills State in 1968 with a degree in biology. Delbert fell in love with a pretty redhead, Lorene Marie Gutormson, and they were married on August 17, 1969, in Sturgis. Three children were born of this union. Delbert made sure that the family’s home on their farm-ranch in Fruitdale, SD, was always filled with love, laughter, and stories. As a member of the South Dakota National Guard from 1969 to 1975, Delbert proudly served his country. He was called up to assist during the Rapid City Flood of 1972. Delbert’s teaching career began in a one-room schoolhouse in Hereford, SD. Later, he taught science and coached football and track at Deadwood High School. Delbert went on to teach 7th and 8th grade science and coach football at Belle Fourche Junior High until he retired in 1994 after 28 years of teaching and coaching. As a life-long farmer and rancher, Delbert’s passion was caring for cattle and hogs and raising corn, wheat, and alfalfa. Following his retirement from teaching, Delbert’s days were spent toiling away with his dog at his side, happily farming and fixing. Delbert’s generosity and caring nature led him to join the Belle Fourche Naja Shrine Club. He brought smiles to children as a member of the Naja Clown Patrol. He was a past president of the Club and held nearly every leadership position over the years. He was also a trustee and active member of the First Congregational Church, U.C.C., in Belle Fourche. Anyone who knew Delbert would agree with his niece’s tribute: Delbert was a rancher, farmer, mechanic, teacher, and storyteller. He gave others a chance when no one else would and never judged them. Happy to have shared his life are his wife of 44 years, Lorene Goodwin; three children, Beth Claycomb (Richard) of Colorado Springs, CO; Becka Schelske (Robert), of Mitchell, SD; and Brett Goodwin (Karly), of Aberdeen, SD. Blessed to be loved by Delbert are his four grandchildren, Ronin Claycomb and Kole, Natalie, and Owen Schelske. Delbert is also survived by two sisters, Lucille (Goodwin) Bennett, Belle Fourche, SD and Beverly (Goodwin) Schjenken, Sacred Heart, MN; and two brothers, Jim Goodwin (Clyle), Greeley, CO, and Jerry Goodwin (Flora), Ogden, UT, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lois (Goodwin) Hoffman, twin brothers Teddy Harley and Eddy Charley Goodwin, brother-in-law Junior Bennett, special uncle Ernie Rankin, and his loyal Border Collie, Barney. The family prefers memorials to the Naja Shrine Hospital Children’s Travel Trust Fund, 4091 Sturgis Road, Rapid City, SD, 57702. FUNERAL SERVICE 10:00 AM, Friday, October 4, 2013First Congregational, United Church of Christ Pastor Del Neumeister, OfficiantBelle Fourche, SDSPECIAL MUSIC “Dancing in the Sky”  Holly Payne, soloist ~ Mrs. Roxi Chowen, accompanist “Amazing Grace” – soloist, Delayna Jensen “Amarillo Sky” – Jason Aldean, “Hey Pretty Girl” – Kip Moore “Angels Among Us” – Alabama “God Made a Farmer” – by Paul Harvey “When I Get Where I’m Going” – Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton Lanelle Cundall, organistFAMILY TRIBUTES Karly Goodwin               Rob Schelske               Richard ClaycombPALLBEARERS                 Kole Schelske                                                           Mike Gutormson                 Ty Ferris                                                                    Gregg Calabro                 Jason Jensen                      Justin Jensen            Ty Tope                        HONORARY PALLBEARERS                 Jerry Jensen                                                              Rob Parsons                 Dennis Levin                                                            John Teupel                                         Members of the Belle Fourche Naja Shrine Club                                 INTERMENT Bear Butte Cemetery – Sturgis, SD “I Can Only Imagine” – soloist, Delayna Jensen “Hymn of Promise”