Roger Wesley Goodno, 88, of Hesper, Iowa, passed away peacefully, Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa, with his wife of almost 66 years and two daughters by his side.
Roger was born February 7, 1936, to Olaf and Selma (Morken) Goodno in Spring Grove, Minn. He was baptized at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church. He attended rural schools at Bergan, Waterloo Ridge, Highlandville and Hesper. He was confirmed at Hesper Lutheran Church in June 1950. He attended Mabel High School in Mabel, Minn., graduating in June 1954. During the high school summers, he worked for local farmers.
On January 25, 1955, he entered the U.S. Army with basic training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas and Fort Ord, Calif. He was then stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., in the Second Division, Ninth Infantry then in the Forth Division Field Artillery. He was discharged from the Army in January 1957 and returned to work for a farmer in the Spring Grove area. In June 1958 he started working for Mansfield Industries in Spring Grove and later for Argus Incorporated. On October 24, 1958, he was united in marriage to Yvonne Smith at the Hesper Lutheran Church. Two daughters, Kari and Wendy were born. In March 1964 they began farming on Yvonne’s home place. In June 1972 he began working for Mabel Farm Equipment for 29 years until retirement. He then worked part time in the spring and fall for Winn Coop for 14 years.
His hobbies included woodworking and collecting and building replicas of toy farm machinery, as well as harvesting black walnuts each fall. He was a member of Hesper Lutheran Church where he served on the Hesper Church Cemetery Board as secretary and treasurer for many years up to the time of his death. He played on the Hesper dartball team for many years, receiving several trophies. He always took pride in spending time with his grandchildren.
Roger is survived by his wife Yvonne, two daughters, Kari and Wendy; two grandchildren, Austin and Haley; two brothers, George (Beverly) of Asbery, Iowa, and Gary (Darlene) of Hesper; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Ragna Hillard and Norma Welper; one brother, Solon; and a nephew, Thomas Hillard.
A memorial service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, September 14 at the Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper, Iowa with military honors by the Mabel American Legion. Visitation will be 12:30–2 p.m. at the church prior to the service. Burial in the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery will be at a later date. The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.
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