Deane T. Gobel

FORDYCE — Deane T. Gobel, 74, Fordyce, died Aug. 4, 2023, at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, S.D.

Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 8 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton, with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating.

Burial was at the Crofton City Cemetery, with military graveside rites by the Crofton American Legion Post 128 and the American Legion Riders. Visitation and a vigil service were Monday, at church, and continued Tuesday one hour prior to services. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton. Pallbearers were Bob Wiebelhaus, Dalton Gobel, Jared Wiebelhaus, Jackson Anderson, Austin Gobel and Wyatt Gobel.

Honorary pallbearers were Deane’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Deane Timothy was born Sept. 9, 1948, in Forest Grove, Ore., to Ronald Clarence and Verona Joy (Eaton) Gobel. Deane was the oldest of nine children. He lived in Oregon for only a few months before his parents returned to Crofton. Deane attended St. Rose Catholic School until the second grade, when his family moved to Omaha in 1955. He returned each summer for the next eight years to visit grandparents, Lawrence and Evelyn Eaton, and Roy and Frances Gobel. Deane graduated from Benson High School, Omaha, in 1966. He moved back to Crofton in 1967, and the following year he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Upon returning from his service in Vietnam, he married Debra Dudek Nov. 8, 1969, in Los Angeles, Calif. After five months of living in Texas, he and Debra moved back to Crofton.

Deane owned his own business, Deane’s Sales and Service, in Crofton for nine years. He worked for Loren Steffen at Steffen Service and for Larry Nohr at the Crofton Feed and Implement. He worked in rehabilitation at Mitch Vo-Tech/Dept. of Corrections, in Springfield, S.D. Deane then worked at the State Hospital, Yankton, S.D., and then was the Quarter Master at the Yankton VFW.

Deane’s love of baseball was responsible for the founding of the Constance Crows, better known as the Crofton Crows. He played and managed the Crows in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was a charter member of the Crofton Area Jaycees and the Crofton Lakeview Golf Course. He was a member of the Crofton American Legion Post 128, served in the National Guard and Army Reserves for many years, Crofton Volunteer Fire Department, Legion baseball and the Crofton Appreciation Days.

Deane enjoyed watching golf on TV and driving his Ranger around town. He was a Husker fan, a New England Patriots NFL fan, and had a meticulously cared for garden. Deane also was known for his quick wit.

Deane is survived by his three children and spouses, JoAnn (Bob) Wiebelhaus, Fordyce; Dylan (Tina) Gobel, Yankton, S.D.; Timmy (Jenna) Gobel, Crofton; 13 grandchildren, Jaclyn Hale, Joslyn Thomas, Jared, Brandy and Jenna Wiebelhaus; Dalton and Brook Gobel; Jackson and Chloe Anderson; Austin and Emma Gobel; Wyatt and Ellie Gobel; four great-grandchildren, Kaelynn and Hunter Hale, Karsen Gobel, and Kayden Gobel; Deane’s significant other, Roberta “Bert” Swensen, Fordyce; daughter-in-law, Diane D. Gobel, Crofton; son-in-law, John Anderson, Sioux Falls, S.D.; six sisters, Nancy Schaeffer, Harvey, N.D.; Pam Langfeldt, Tekamah; Libby Bond, Beatrice; Jane (Richard) Elske, Tekamah; Donna (Bobby) Schnell, Tekamah; MaryJo (Brad) Thomas, Ashland; one brother, Jim Gobel, Tekamah; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ronnie Gobel; daughter, Missy Anderson; and sister, Kathy Steffen.