Laura M. Godes, age 83, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at the local hospital. She was the widow of Giles Godes. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Father John Fischer will officiate.
Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Thursday, Jan. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary Service starting at 7:30 p.m.
Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown. Honorary pallbearers will be Laura’s nieces and nephews, and the staff at Jenkins Living Center. Active pallbearers will be Damian Cobb, TJ Johnson, Piper Greenough, Lea Grink, Isaiah Dame, and Anna Johnson.
Laura was born on Sept. 12, 1941, in Volga, to Delevan S. and Florence M. (Kroshaug) Olson. She attended Brookings High School, graduating in 1959.
On Oct. 20, 1973, Laura was united in marriage to Giles Godes in Brookings, SD. The couple moved to Wahpeton, ND, in 1988. The family lived in the Bismarck, ND, area from 1989 – 1996 before moving to Watertown, SD. Laura worked at the Brookview Manor in the 1970’s, Midtex during the 1980’s, and then worked at OEM until her retirement.
Laura was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church. She had a kind heart, loved by many people and she had no filter.
She was a very loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She enjoyed reading, jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles, spending time with her family and friends especially her great-granddaughter Nova. Laura was very proud of her role as President of the Resident Council at Jenkins Living Center.
Laura is survived by her daughter Paulette Greenough, of Watertown; granddaughters, Piper Greenough, of Watertown, and Liberty Shepherd, of Port Angeles, WA; great-grandchildren, Nova Greenough-Frevet, and Dalton Sholes; one sister Karen Appel, of Cannon Falls, MN; one brother James Herron, of Rapid City, SD; and several nieces and nephews.
Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Giles; her parents, Delevan Olson and Mae Herron; step-father, Andrew Herron; and son-in-law, Jerry Greenough.
Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel, Watertown and Hayti. Visit www.crawfordosthus.com.
