William "Bill" Goebel

William “Bill” Fredrick Goebel went to be with the Lord on June 11, 2023 after 80 wonderful years.

Bill was born on December 10, 1942 in Yorkton, SK to Willhelm and Emma Goebel. He was baptized on December 25, 1942 and attended Landestreu Immanuel Lutheran Church his entire life. He grew up playing with and teasing his two sisters, who he loved, and attended Zorn Country School (south of MacNutt, SK). He was confirmed on May 5, 1957. His confirmation verse, which became one of his favorites, was: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

On November 1, 1968, he married the love of his life, Melva Kleebaum. They took over the small family grain and cattle farm in 1970. Bill and Melva were happily married for 54 years and blessed with a son, Jeff, and a daughter, Angela.

When Bill was 18 years old, he started working in MacNutt at the elevator, training to be an elevator agent. Shortly after, he began working on road construction. He continued operating heavy equipment for 52 years, first with Keating’s Construction and then with D.J. Miller and Sons.

Bill enjoyed sports, including baseball and hockey, but his favorite was curling. As a younger man, he spent many weekends in curling bonspiels with friends.

Bill spent most of his time outside. He loved to hunt and go ice fishing and he enjoyed doing both with others. He liked gardening but hated potato bugs. He spent countless hours driving his tractors - the John Deere and the Ford. He lived on the same section of land his whole life, and he gave himself to caring for that farm. He especially enjoyed the little feet that followed behind him as he worked, first his own children then his grandchildren and now, his great-grandchildren.

His family meant everything to him. He worked hard to provide for them, loved that they lived close, and couldn’t have been prouder of them all. He loved telling stories and visiting with friends, neighbors, and family. He was a humble, content, and stubborn man.

In his last years, as his physical body ailed, his faith deepened. He and Melva spent hours reading the Bible together and praying - a time Melva treasures deeply.

William was predeceased by his parents Willhelm and Emma Goebel (Rathgeber), his sister Lillian Goebel, his father and mother-in-law Robert and Carla Kleebaum (Fingas), his brother-in-law Max Bryant, brother-in-law Elmer and wife Liz Kleebaum, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

William leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife, Melva Goebel, son Jeff (Kathy) Goebel, daughter Angela (Glenn) Shiner, grandchildren Jori (Caleb) Willems and their daughters Myla and Maryn, Tanner (Jodie) Shiner and their daughter Zara, Jade (Josh) Rogalski and their children Ezra and Eleanor, Jessica Goebel, sister Velinda (Jim) Neuls, sister-in-law  Annette Bryant, step-grandsons Tristen, Drayton, and Kayden, and his beloved puppy, Rocco.