Brian L. Goens

Brian L. Goens, age 56, of Watertown, SD, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on Friday, November 18, 2022, at Prairie Lakes Hospital.  Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown. Pastor Aaron Odya will officiate. Music will be provided by Julie Sulzle as organist.  The service will be live-streamed via the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel website and St. Martin's Lutheran Church website.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Monday from 5-7 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Burial will be at the Bemis Cemetery in Bemis, SD. Active pallbearers will be Brian’s nephews: Brandon Neal, Chad Neal, Darius Fenske, John Goens, Jeremy Goens, Matthew Goens and Paul Riediger.

Brian Lee Goens was born on May 17, 1966, to Harlan and Joan (Harstad) Goens at Clear Lake, SD.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Church in Goodwin and was a member of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Watertown.  He was raised on the family dairy farm near Goodwin, SD. He attended grade school in Goodwin and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1984.  He then attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN, and went on to attend Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI, being ordained as a pastor in 1995.  His first parish was in Cheyenne, WY. While serving there, he met and married Linda Joy and this union was blessed with four children: Michelle, Tyler, Robert and Kimberly.  He also served at dual parishes in Naper, NE, and Bonesteel, SD, and later a dual parish in Hyde and Powers, MI.  He made the decision to leave the ministry and returned to his home state of South Dakota to be closer to his family.  Working with the elderly brought him great joy in his years as a CNA.

Brian enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, dancing, singing and attending his children’s activities.  Brian was also a huge Minnesota Vikings fan. He will be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor.

He is survived by his children: Michelle, Tyler, Robert and Kimberly; his siblings: Karen (Larry) Fieber of Goodwin, SD, Nancy (Kevin) Neal of Bradley, SD, Janet (Mark) Fenske of Boyd, MN, Keith (Terri) Goens of Clear Lake, SD, Susan (Galen) Riediger of Bangor, WI, and Betty (Dave) Pries of Grand Chute, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; a nephew, Daniel Pries; and a great-nephew, Xavier Zirbel.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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