Goodwin Ronald Alf (92) died on Thursday, January 18th, 2024 at Mayo Health Systems in Eau Claire, WI. He was born July 15th, 1931 to Fred Alf and Cora (Wold) Alf at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, WI.
He grew up farming with his family, and attended Hamlin Country School in Eleva, WI. He went on to graduate from Eleva-Strum High school and was drafted into the Army shortly after. He attended Basic training at Camp Gordon, Georgia and after basic training was sent to Fort Myer, Virginia, assigned to 9423rd TSU ACACA Army command and administrative communication agency - the Pentagon. He served in Woodbridge, Virginia just outside of Washington DC. There he was a Secret control courier, delivering daily reports from the transmitting station to the Pentagon and Fort Myer.
After completing his time in the army, Goodwin worked at Fairbanks in Beloit, WI where he met Ida Mae Burns. They were married on September 8th, 1956 in Beloit. They moved to Strum and Goodwin worked at Presto, before deciding to go back to farming with his brother John on his family’s land owned by his Uncles Clifford and Minor Wold . He farmed until his retirement in 1996. He was very proud of this farmland, as it was passed down from his grandfather to his uncles, and then himself and his brother. It now belongs to his daughter, making it a 4th generation family land.
Goodwin was a lifetime member of the Eleva Lutheran church.
Goodwin is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ida Mae; five children Kathleen (Clark) Seffens, Ivan (Chery) Alf, Diane (Greg) Haigh, Kevin (Sara) Alf, and Stacy Belmore, as well as 10 grandchildren [Jessica Seffens, Lucus Seffens, Cody Haigh (Marissa Wallace), Dana (David) White, Candace Haigh (Todd), Brandon (Meaghan) Belmore, Noelle Belmore, Joshua Belmore (Khloe Spors), Isaac Knutson, Cashton Knutson], 13 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his sister in law Shirley Alf and nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Cora, brothers John and Donald, and sister-in-law Jean.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at Eleva Lutheran church with Pastor Karen Ressel officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 23, 2024 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Eleva Lutheran Church and one hour prior to services on Wednesday. Burial will be at a later date in the Eleva Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Goodwin would ask memorials to be made in his name to the music department and elevator fund at Eleva Lutheran Church.
Kjentvet- Smith Funeral Home in Eleva is assisting the family. To express on-line condolences, visit obituaries at www.kjentvet-smithfuneralhome.com
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