Homer Godel

Homer Franklin Godel, 91, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's Dementia on Sunday October 18th, 2026 at SMP Health - St. Catherine North in Fargo. He was the seventh of seven sons of Leonard and Mary (Kays) Godel born on March 28, 1935 on First Silver Lake located north of Battle Lake. The family moved to Second Silver Lake when Homer was 9 years old. He attended country school in Everts Township and graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1953.

Homer volunteered to go into the U.S. Army in January of 1955. He went to Europe and back on the same ship, the UNSN Upshur, in the same compartment and the same bed. He was stationed in Bordeaux, France and drove transport across Germany and France. After an honorable discharge, Homer returned to the States right before Christmas 1956. He bought a new 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 off the showroom floor at the Ford dealer in New York City and drove back to Fergus Falls, making it home in time for Christmas.

Homer was united in marriage to Deloris Tollefson on March 22, 1958, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. They were married for more than 62 years before Deloris passed away in 2020. They were blessed with one daughter, Noreen.

Homer began his professional work career on 7-7-1957 as a parts runner at W. W. Wallwork in Moorhead. In 1960, Hansen Ford in Grand Forks recruited him to be the Parts Manager. While in Grand Forks, Homer was the Midwest Delegate for Ford Motor Company and had the rare opportunity to sit at the desk with Henry Ford. In 1985, he became Parts and Service Director at Bill Schwartz Ford Chrysler in Detroit Lakes. Homer retired the first time in December of 1995. After 6 weeks of retirement, he started in parts at Lunde Auto Center, where he worked until his final retirement in October 2022. Over the course of Homer's 65+ years with Ford Parts he was a Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medallion Manager.

Homer's passion was the big three: FORD, LINCOLN, and MERCURY. In addition to vehicles, he enjoyed helping people work on anything that had a motor, especially lawn mowers. Homer was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone that asked.

In addition to his career achievements, Homer is a past President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and a life member of the VFW and the American Legion.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Deloris; his son-in-law, Troy; his parents, Leonard and Mary; all six of his older brothers, Howard, Wilton (Marion), Myron (Shirley), Charles (Marlys), Edwin (Barbara) and Irvin (Darlene); brothers in law Tom Saurer and Darrell (Audrey)Tollefson; nephew and godson Craig Godel; and nieces Debra Kanstrup and Rita Saurer (goddaughter).

Homer is survived by his daughter, Noreen, of Fargo; sisters-in-law, Juel Godel of Fergus Falls, Beverly Godel of Florida, and Lyla Saurer of Fergus Falls; brother-in-law Marlow (Ilene) Tollefson of Fergus Falls; 30 nieces and nephews; and many other family members and friends.God Bless the memory of Homer Godel

Memorials preferred to HIA Hospice, SMP Health - St. Catherine's North, the Alzheimer's Association of Fargo, or organization of donor's choice.

Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 25, 2026 at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume one-hour prior to the service.

Service: 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 26, 2026 at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Clergy: Reverend Phil Tobin

Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com