Obituary of Richard Ernest Goebel

Richard Ernest (George) Goebel, who was known and loved as Ernie, passed away Sunday February 17, 2019 on the Goebel Century Family Farm at the age of 75.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. Friday, February 22, 2019, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW in Dyersville where the American Legion Post #6 and the VFW Post #9663 will conduct a Past Commander Ceremony at 4 p.m.  Visitation will continue Saturday morning from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2019, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Luxemburg, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery and military honors will be accorded by VFW Post 9663 and American Legion Post 6.  Rev. Noah Diehm will officiate with Rev. Richard Gaul concelebrating.

Ernie was born July 4, 1943 in New Vienna, Iowa to Gene and Helen (Klaus) Goebel.  After a previous marriage to Ruth Koelker, he married Georgia Sudmeier of New Vienna on September 4, 1992.

When his two sons were growing up, Ernie helped start the Asbury Little League and enjoyed working with his boys and their Boy Scout Troop 91 of Resurrection Church.  He loved snowmobiling and participated in many cross-country races during the 1970’s.  Ernie also enjoyed hunting, flying airplanes, and driving his John Deere tractors across Iowa with his brothers. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Dubuque in 1987. He always looked forward to time spent with friends and family, loved being on the farm, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.  Above all, Ernie believed in God, service to his Country, and all things Iowa.

Ernie retired from John Deere Dubuque Works in 1994, and retired as a Sgt. Major from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1995.  Ernie dedicated 35 years of his life to his career as a combat engineer.  His military experience included:  Desert Storm in Iraq, November 1990 to May 1991, service in Mogadishu, Somalia, and nine tours to South Korea.  He was also a lifetime member of the VFW, DAV, American Legion, and American Vets.  He was the Commander of American Legion Post #6 in Dubuque from 2001-02, and was currently serving as the Commander of VFW Post #9663 in Dubuque.  He was a member of Iowa Veterans' Council for the past 25 year and was also Iowa VFW State Commander from 2006-07.  Ernie was appointed by the Governor of Iowa and the past chairman of the commission to a third 4-year term to the Iowa Commission of Veterans' Affairs.  He was proud to have been a part of the committee that built the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Dubuque.

Ernie is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Georgia (Smoky) Sudmeier Goebel; his brothers Bob of Cedar Rapids, Jack of Colesburg, and Joe of Luxemburg; his sons, Russell (Lisa) Goebel of San Antonio, TX and Brad (Margaret) Goebel of Houston, TX, and his 3 stepchildren, Lori (Dave) Henning of Iowa City, Mike (Michelle) Sack of Minneapolis, MN, and Lisa Scott of Bellingham, WA. Ernie and Georgia were blessed with the love of 22 grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Kayvon (Erik Klunder) Jafarpour, Megan (Mark Elliff) Henning, Halie Henning, Regan Sack, Evan Sack, Matt (Jackie) Ruppel, Sam Ruppel, Rob Ruppel, Clara Scott, Tully Scott, Noah Goebel, Grayson Goebel, Natalie Goebel, Julia Goebel, Jackson Goebel, Olivia Pruin, Julia Pruin, Tito Resto, Isabel Resto; greatgrandchildren: Jordyn Nikkel, Paisleigh Goebel, and Lawson Goebel.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, contributions in memory of Richard E. Goebel may be made to the New Vienna/Luxemburg Fire Dept. or VFW Post #9663 of Dubuque of which he was Commander.