Francis “Fritz” Goebel

Minot

Francis “Fritz” Goebel was born January 2, 1926 in Minot, ND to Fredrick Jacob and Anna Sophia (Hohn) Goebel of rural Minot, ND. He was the youngest son of 10 children.

Fritz attended rural schools in Ward County through 8th grade. He later obtained his GED in Minot, ND.

He worked for the Harrington Brother’s Ranch in rural Minot, ND, where he purchased his first horse, a gray mare named Smokey. in 1945 he joined the Marine Corp.

Upon his honorable discharge, Fritz returned to the family home in Foxholm, ND, and worked for Harrington Brother’s Great Northern Stockyards.

Fritz married his soul mate, Geraldine Gayle “Gerry” Fedorenko of Butte, ND on June 2, 1951, in Minot, ND. They moved to Helena, MT, where their daughter Diane Elizabeth was born in 1952. Fritz worked for AS&R Smelter, Armor Metal Products, and Cloverleaf Jersey Dairy.

Fritz and Gerry returned to Minot, ND in 1959, where he and his father-in-law-built Fritz and Gerry their home, and their second daughter, Lynn Cheryl was born. At this time Fritz worked for Bridgeman Creameries then Minot State College, from where he retired.

After retirement Fritz worked summers for Oak Park to earn extra money so he and Gerry could enjoy their Airstream trailer while wintering in Arizona for 11years. Fritz retired from Oak Park at age 80.

In 2016, as a widower, Fritz enjoyed the easy life in Somerset Court, where he enjoyed sharing his numerous stories with fellow tenants, playing pool, puzzles, and attending parties.

Fritz was preceded in death by his parents, wife Gerry, and brothers Theodore, Johnny, Clarence. Norbert, Herbert, and sisters Marie Fuchs, Elvina Goebel, and Deloris Feist, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is survived by daughters Diane Robertson (Bill), Laurel, MT and Lynn Jehlicka (Terry), Minot, ND, sister Celestine Melland, Williston, ND; granddaughter, Nicole Kvigne; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graveside Service will be conducted on September 8, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Rosehill Cemetery, Minot.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 21, 2025.