A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Larry Goeman, age 82, of Jeffers, will be held at
LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom on Wednesday, May 14th at 11:00 AM, with a visitation for two
hours prior to the service, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Burial will be in the Jeffers Cemetery.
Larry Edward Goeman was born on December 25, 1942, in Windom, Minnesota to Edward and Guida (Kleven) Goeman, and was
their first Christmas gift together. He was the eldest of five children with siblings Glen, Joyce, Elton, and Mark.
Larry attended Jeffers Public School and graduated in the class of 1960. He continued his education for one year at
Mankato State College and then decided he wanted to farm with his dad.
On June 10, 1961, Larry married Melody Sue Matteson, and to this union was born, Holly Sue and Grant Edward. When
Larry’s father became disabled with MS, Larry began farming with his brother Elton in 1971. He was a dedicated
farmer who grew corn and soybeans and raised hogs. Larry and Elton’s partnership lasted until Larry retired in
December 2013. Their partnership also included flying, when they both got their pilot’s license and bought an
airplane together.
Larry was a lifetime member of Highwater Lutheran Church and served as president of the church congregation and an
usher. He served on many boards with financial institutions, including Farm Credit, Jeffers Elevator, Ag Star, Land
Bank and the State Bank of Jeffers. In his free time, Larry loved being in nature and enjoyed fishing and hunting
deer, bear, moose and pheasants.
Larry and Melody enjoyed ten winters in Sebastian, Florida. They loved eating seafood at their favorite restaurant on
the river, Squid Lips. While in Florida they enjoyed basketball on television and watching skydivers. Larry even
arranged for his granddaughters, Rachel and Becca, to skydive.
Larry had the gift to visit and get acquainted with
strangers. He often told many life stories over and over His favorite greetings and expressions were,
“Howdy”, “Oh Boy!” and “Don’t Get Old!”. They enjoyed the summers spent
camping and fishing near Deer River, Minnesota and their fishing adventures on “Little Winnie”.
In the early morning hours of May 7, 2025, Larry passed away peacefully at St. John’s Lutheran Home in
Springfield, Minnesota.
Left to cherish his memory, are his wife, Melody Sue Goeman of Jeffers; children, Holly (Jim) Bagley of Albert Lea
and Grant (Sharen) Goeman of Jeffers; three grandchildren, Rachel (Rich) Verano of Madison, WI, Rebecca (Matt) Gross
of Black River Falls, WI, and Reid (Dana) Goeman of Sioux Falls, SD; eight great-grandchildren, Evangeline, Genevieve,
Eloise, Eleanor, Emilia, John, Elliott and Gabrielle; siblings, Glen (Janice) Goeman, Joyce Sander (Ken Ludwig), and
Elton (Susan) Goeman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Guida Goeman; and brother, Mark Goeman (1951-1955);
mother-in-law, Velma (Robert) Lane; father-in-law, Merle Matteson; and brother-in-law, Milton Matteson. Blessed be his
memory.
Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Condolences and memories
of Larry may be shared at www.lacannefuneralhome.com.
