Glenn J. Girodat

Glenn J. Girodat, 69 of Devils Lake died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, September 12, 2015. He tried his best to beat his diagnosis of Stage IV Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer from April 24, 2015 but it was just too aggressive. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Devils Lake, ND on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Glenn John Girodat was the youngest of 5 children born on May 29, 1946 to Peter and Hedwig (Bernard) Girodat in Langdon, ND. He was reared and educated in the Mt. Carmel and Langdon area. After receiving his GED he went on to Lake Region Aviation School in Watertown, SD and after graduation in November of 1968 he went to work for Western Airlines in Minneapolis, MN in the Airframe and Power Plant Division doing airplane maintenance. He work for Western Airlines for a few years and after going through several of their layoffs he moved back to Langdon, ND and worked at Don and Arn’s Standard Station which was owned and operated by his twin brothers. In March of 1977 Glenn began his 35 year career working as a John Deere Parts Man in Hampden, ND. The first 19 years were spent working for Lunde Implement, the next 14 years for Devils Lake Equipment and the remaining 2 years for Leading Edge Equipment. He retired on June 1, 2012 and highly recommended retirement to everyone he met. After retiring he started helping John and Doug Erickstad with their farm work – it was a little bit of an adjustment to go from John Deere Green to Case IH Red but he did manage. On July 12, 1997, Glenn asked one of his co-workers on a date to supper and a movie just as friends and that one date turned into a whirlwind romance and ended in marriage. On February 7, 1998 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Devils Lake, ND Glenn married his soulmate and love of his life, Wilma (Morgan) Miller. They made their home in Devils Lake and for the first 4 years of their marriage Rachael was also at home with them. Glenn commuted back and forth to Hampden every day for work. Glenn had a kind heart and loving soul – he was a faithful and loving partner and husband to Wilma for 18 years and 2 months, he brought laughter and love to their life every day. He was a known “Jokester” and loved catching people in a blunder. He was a loving father and step father to his children and an exceptional loving “Papa” to his grandkids. He will truly be missed by all. Glenn is survived by his wife Wilma, Sons: Randy (Marnie) Girodat, Grants Pass, Oregon; John (Makayla) Girodat, Hugoton, Kansas. Daughter: Suzanne (Mike) Godboldt, St. Joseph, Missouri. Step-Daughters: Natalie (Tim) Fossen, Cupertino, California; Rachael (Jeff) Wyum, Minot, ND. Grandchildren: Elizabeth, Kyra, Jadayln, Autumn, Holden, William, Landan, Maggie, Maddy, Ansley, McKenzie and Morgan. Great Grandson: Niko. God-Daughter (Niece): Joann (Jeff) Kitchens, Devils Lake, ND. Brother: Don Girodat, Langdon, ND. Sister: Dorothy Kroetsch, Langdon, ND. Sister-in-laws: Ethel Girodat, Langdon, ND; Jeanette (Don) Calderwood, Devils Lake, ND; Doris (Harold) Anderson, Bagley, MN. Several Nieces and Nephews. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, Brother: Arnold Girodat; Sister: Evelyn Schill; Sister-in-law: Dolores Girodat; Brother-in-laws: Linus Kroetsch and Richard Schill; Nephew: Merle Kroetsch and his close friend Becky Stave. The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and support. We would also like to thank all those who have stopped by our home and those who have provided food during this difficult time. A special thank you to Pastor Tom for your visits and to the following medical care providers: Dr. Belanger and Heather from St. Alexius in Bismarck; Dr. Luebke, Brittany and the nurses from Mid-Dakota Cancer Center in Bismarck; Dr. Dufan and all the staff at the Bismarck Cancer Center; Kelly Leiphon and Wanda from Altru Clinic in Devils Lake and to the gals from Altru Hospice – you all took such good care of Glenn and we thank you and appreciate all your efforts. And to our friends and family in Devils Lake that helped us get moved and settled, our extended families in Bismarck and Grand Forks that were there to hold our hands and pray with us we would like to say a big thank you for support in the last 20 weeks.