The funeral service for John O. Goodmanson of Albert Lea will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Todd Walsh will officiate. Interment will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea and one hour before service at the church.
John died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at his home in Albert Lea. He was 63 years old.
John was born in Omaha, Neb., on July 15, 1945, the son of Oliver and Betty (McCord) Goodmanson. He graduated from Albert Lea High School, where he was active in sports and many extracurricular activities. He graduated from St. Olaf College with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature in 1967. He married Kay Carlson Aug. 27, 1966, at First Baptist Church in Albert Lea. He started law school in the fall of 1967 and completed one year before being drafted into the Army in June of 1968. He was stationed at Fort Dix, N.J., and Fort Polk, La., prior to being deported to Korea where he served as a sentry dog handler. He returned from Korea in June of 1970. He returned to the University of Minnesota to complete his juris doctorate degree in June 1972. He moved back to Albert Lea after graduating from law school where he practiced law with Rudy Hansen. He joined the merger of Hansen, Petersen Law Firm. He later went into private practice at Goodmanson Law Office.
John served as presidents for the Red Cross, CDC and Trinity Lutheran Church Council. He also had been a Sunday school teacher and worked with the youth groups in the church. He volunteered for the Americore, mentoring students at Southwest Junior High. He was an active member of AA.
John enjoyed fishing, sports and the Minnesota Gophers. His greatest love was watching his family and grandchildren in many sports. He enjoyed playing softball, volleyball, baseball and golf. He also enjoyed glider flying, boating, traveling, crossword puzzles, watching Jeopardy and going to the cabin. John enjoyed life to its fullest.
John is survived by his wife, Kay of Albert Lea; daughter, Stacey Bushman and husband, Col. Chris Bushman of Hawaii and their children, Allison and Emily Bushman; son, Phil Goodmanson and wife, Julie, of Albert Lea, and their children, Alexander and Olivia Goodmanson; sister, Janet Boelke of Austin; brothers: David Goodmanson of Minneapolis, Bill Goodmanson and wife, Joni of Sartell; nieces and nephews: Todd(Masume) Boelke of Oak Harbor, Wash., Kim (Keith) Smith of Austin, Nick and Matt Goodmanson of Sartell; brother-in-law: Jim Carlsen of Albert Lea; aunt, Norma Goodmanson of Albert Lea; and many cousins.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Betty Goodmanson; and parents-in-law, Bobby and Alice Carlsen.
He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and loving wife.