July 2, 1937 – May 28, 2022
Richard Allen Godschalk, 84, passed away Saturday, May 28, 2022.
Funeral services were held June 2, 2022 at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.
Richard “Dick or Smokey” Allen Godschalk was born July 2, 1937 to Albert F. and Mildred E. Godschalk in Glendale, CA. The family moved to Meade, KS and settled in Dupree in 1949, where they farmed and ran a custom combining operation. Dick graduated from Dupree High School in 1955 and then enlisted in the Army. He went to basic training at Fort Chaffee, AR, served time at Fort Benning, GA and finished his Army enlistment in Germany. He returned to Dupree for a year and a half, and then enlisted in the Navy for four years.
He was stationed in Newfoundland during his Navy career, which is where he met the love of his life, Florence. They were married October 20, 1962 at The Basilica of St. John the Baptist in St. Johns, Newfoundland. They then transferred to Charleston, SC, where he completed his four-years enlistment. They then moved about the country a little, living in Dupree, Tioga, ND, Billings, MT, Lemmon, and eventually Sioux Falls growing their large family all along the way.
Dick spent his lifetime taking care of his family, driving trucks and working as a mechanic. Trucking was his favorite thing, but he was a very talented mechanic and could fix anything that needed fixing, no matter whether that was a car, a computer, a washing machine or a chicken coop. In 1995 Dick achieved one of his dreams and started his own shop, Marion Road Auto Service, where he worked with his sons and was definitely the brains behind the operation. He went back to trucking, doing short, in-town hauls in 2006, and retired from that in 2016. Dick had an amazing mind and memory; he remembered everything, right down to the serial numbers of the tractors they had when he was growing up. He loved antique tractors and was always looking to add to his John Deere collection. He was also an avid race fan and rooted for The Intimidator, Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
Grateful for having shared his life are his children: Sheila (Daryl) Hoebel, Donna Elledge, Richard F. Godschalk, David Godschalk, and Edward (Jolene)Godschalk; daughter-in-law, Danielle Godschalk; grandchildren: Ryan (Sara) Grochow, James (Kathy) Elledge, Jennifer Elledge, Jay Dean (Samantha) Elledge, Shauna (Troy) Bonestroo, Madison Godschalk, Joshua Elledge, Jackson Godschalk, Grace Godschalk and Anderson Godschalk; 8 great-grandchildren; his sister, Janice Marple of Dupree; special family friend Eleanor Eagle Bear and many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Mary Godschalk; his daughters, Linda Green and Brenda Godschalk; his sons-in-law, Burl Elledge and Gene Green; his parents; his sister, Glenna Godschalk; and his brother-in-law, Pat Marple.