Official Obituary of
Giles P. Godes
July 18, 1940 ~ February 10, 2017 (age 76) 76 Years Old
Giles Godes Obituary
Giles P. Godes, age 76, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Friday, February 10, 2017, at a local care center. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Watertown. Fr. Bob Vinslauski will be the celebrant. Music will be provided by Jane Rokusek as organist with Blaine Martian as song leader. The family is requested to meet at the church on Thursday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service.
Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:45 p.m. Visitation will continue prior to services at the church on Thursday.
Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown. Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Giles' grandchildren, the staff at Watertown Care and Rehabilitation Center and past and present employees at Spartan, formerly OEM. Active pallbearers will be: Wayne Farries, Carl Hepner, John Miles, Jim Mahowald, Jim Herron and Roger Carpenter.
Giles was born on July 18, 1940, to John and Rose (Messer) Godes, in Hebron, ND. He grew up on a farm in Haymarsh, ND, and attended elementary school at St. Clement's Catholic School in Haymarsh. After graduating from Assumption Abbey High School, Richardton, ND, in 1958, he attended college, where he received his Auto Mechanics diploma. Giles then served in the U.S. Army for six years. He was stationed in Korea. After his honorable discharge, he returned to college and received his degree as an Electronic Technician. Giles moved to Brookings, SD, and was employed at Daktronics (as their first full time employee) for 17 years. He traveled the country installing voting systems. He received a patent for inventing the fold down digits for the wrestling score boards.
On October 20, 1973, Giles was united in marriage to Laura Olson in Brookings. The couple moved to Wahpeton, ND, in 1988, where he obtained a degree in Computer Information Systems. The family lived in the Bismarck, ND, area from 1989-1996 before moving to Watertown. Giles worked at Persona Inc. for one year and then at OEM. He retired in 2009.
He was a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church, the American Legion in Watertown and the Elks Lodge. Giles loved camping, gardening and photography. He enjoyed watching football, listening to old country music and cooking, especially grilling. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Giles is survived by his wife, Laura, of Watertown; his daughter, Paulette (Jerry) Greenough, of Watertown; two grandchildren, Piper and Liberty Greenough; one brother, Quinten (LouAnn) Godes, of Watertown; and three sisters: Patricia Johnson of Rapid City, SD, Jan Feser of Mandan, ND, and Cecilia Betchner of Dickinson, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Isadore and Albert Godes; two sisters, Lorraine Messer and Adeline Weinand; and his mother-in-law, Mae Herron.
When: February 15, 2017 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
When: February 16, 2017 10:30am
Location: Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church
Address: 1009 Skyline Drive SD Watertown , SD 57201
Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:45 p.m. Visitation will continue prior to services at the church on Thursday.
Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown. Military graveside honors will be conducted by Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Giles' grandchildren, the staff at Watertown Care and Rehabilitation Center and past and present employees at Spartan, formerly OEM. Active pallbearers will be: Wayne Farries, Carl Hepner, John Miles, Jim Mahowald, Jim Herron and Roger Carpenter.
Giles was born on July 18, 1940, to John and Rose (Messer) Godes, in Hebron, ND. He grew up on a farm in Haymarsh, ND, and attended elementary school at St. Clement's Catholic School in Haymarsh. After graduating from Assumption Abbey High School, Richardton, ND, in 1958, he attended college, where he received his Auto Mechanics diploma. Giles then served in the U.S. Army for six years. He was stationed in Korea. After his honorable discharge, he returned to college and received his degree as an Electronic Technician. Giles moved to Brookings, SD, and was employed at Daktronics (as their first full time employee) for 17 years. He traveled the country installing voting systems. He received a patent for inventing the fold down digits for the wrestling score boards.
On October 20, 1973, Giles was united in marriage to Laura Olson in Brookings. The couple moved to Wahpeton, ND, in 1988, where he obtained a degree in Computer Information Systems. The family lived in the Bismarck, ND, area from 1989-1996 before moving to Watertown. Giles worked at Persona Inc. for one year and then at OEM. He retired in 2009.
He was a member of the Holy Name Catholic Church, the American Legion in Watertown and the Elks Lodge. Giles loved camping, gardening and photography. He enjoyed watching football, listening to old country music and cooking, especially grilling. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Giles is survived by his wife, Laura, of Watertown; his daughter, Paulette (Jerry) Greenough, of Watertown; two grandchildren, Piper and Liberty Greenough; one brother, Quinten (LouAnn) Godes, of Watertown; and three sisters: Patricia Johnson of Rapid City, SD, Jan Feser of Mandan, ND, and Cecilia Betchner of Dickinson, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Isadore and Albert Godes; two sisters, Lorraine Messer and Adeline Weinand; and his mother-in-law, Mae Herron.
Service Details.
Visitation
When: February 15, 2017 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
Service
When: February 16, 2017 10:30am
Location: Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church
Address: 1009 Skyline Drive SD Watertown , SD 57201
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Giles Godes
July 18, 1940-February 10, 2017
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