Richard Goebel

Richard R. "Rich" Goebel, age 78, of Freeport, died after an 8-month battle with cancer on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at the Mother of Mercy Assisted Living in Albany, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, February 19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. Entombment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Albany American Legion.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. St. Joseph's Men's Society and Goldenaires Senior Citizens will pray at 4 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 5 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Richard Robert Goebel was born April 3, 1939 in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to William and Frances (Hiltner) Goebel. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1960 on the U.S.S. Shenandoah AD-26. Rich enjoyed fishing, researching genealogy, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels, and helping on the family farm. He also began volunteering as an election judge in the year 2000 for the City of Albany.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Men's Society, and the Albany American Legion.

Rich is survived by his sisters and brothers, Valeria Sebek of Long Prairie, Jerome (Rosie) Goebel of Toms River, New Jersey, Victor (Betty) Goebel of Freeport, Alcuin (Louise) Goebel of Freeport, and Bertha (Eugene) Braegelmann of Cold Spring; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Alvina Blommel and Joan Freyman; infant sister, Loretta Goebel; and brothers-in-law, Clarence Blommel and Melvin Sebek.

Serving as casket bearers will be Kevin Goebel, Loren Goebel, Greg Freyman, Rick Goebel, Steve Sebek, and Dan Goebel. Cross bearer will be Melissa Eisenschenk and scripture bearer will be Lyle Goebel. Gift bearers will be Sharon Danzl and Kim Hoffman. Readers will be Jean Kollodge and Jessica Goebel.