Sylvia Gohdes
June 26, 1925 ~ April 16, 2012
Sylvia K. (Eid) Gohdes, 86, Mapleton N.D., passed away Monday, April 16, 2012 at Rosewood on Broadway, Fargo.
Sylvia was born June 26, 1925 in rural Gary, MN to Anton and Lena (Duckstad) Eid. She was baptized and confirmed at Sundahl Lutheran Church. Sylvia attended Golden Willow Country School in rural Gary, MN, graduating from Gary High School in 1943. She went on to attend Fargo Business College in Fargo and worked for Fargo Investment Company.
She married Alvin A. Gohdes on September 7, 1947 in Sundahl Lutheran Church. They began their life together in rural Mapleton. Together, they built a new farmstead, pursuing a life-long commitment to dairy and grain farming, and raising a family. Alvin and Sylvia lived on the family farm for over 60 years. Alvin passed away in 2006. In 2010, Sylvia moved to Sheyenne Crossing in West Fargo due to health concerns.
Sylvia enjoyed baking pies and bread, embroidering, crocheting, quilting, and gardening. Much of what she made, she gave to family, friends and charities. One of her passions was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchild.
She was a faithful member of the Canaan Moravian Church, rural Davenport N.D. Monthly Women's Fellowship meetings and activities in the church were of great importance to her. Her Mapleton Community Homemaker's Club added another positive social aspect to Sylvia's life.
Sylvia is survived by her children; Keith (Mary) Gohdes, Mapleton N.D., Kathleen "Ki" Gohdes, Pelican Rapids M.N., Melanie (Robert) Gohdes Fransen, Eden Prairie M.N., Rev. Stephen (Heidi) Gohdes, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, brother; Donald Eid, Gary M.N., sisters; Luella Digerness, Moorhead M.N., Diana Olson, Wadena M.N., grandchildren; Matthew (Rachelle) Fransen, Janessa (Tim) Smith, Erin Fransen, Brianna Gohdes, Alyssa (Lucas) Palczewski, Daniel (Alicia) Gohdes, Kari Gohdes, one great-granddaughter, Sayler Sylvia Jaye Smith; and one step great-grandchild, Logan Smith.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley.
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St. Cloud MN
We will miss our Dear Aunt Sylvia so very much. I will always remember the times spent at the farm for a holiday meal. Sylvia was always busy and everything was always perfect. She was a wonderful woman. The service Friday night was an amazing tribute to her hard working, Christian life!
Keith and Family: So sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. Lyle always enjoyed visiting with her whenever he saw her outside and stopped in the yard to see how she was doing. My thoughts are with you.
Sartell MN
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. My Godmother Sylvia was an incredible women. Her kindness and generousity were endless. She was such a hard working lady always busy in the kitchen. I have so many wonderful memories of visiting the farm when I was young. She was an inspiration to me I couldn’t have asked for a better Godmother! Love, Michelle
MOORHEAD MN
MEMORIES FLOOD MY MIND AS TEARS FLOOD MY EYES. THE YEARS FLEW BY FROM THE TIME WE WERE KIDS TRUDGING TO OUR RURAL SCHOOL, WITH SYLVIA CARRYING THE BOOK BAG SINCE SHE WAS THE ELDER. LATER WHEN SHE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL WITH MY EIGHT GRADE GRADUATION COMING A WEEK OR TWO LATER, OUR MOTHER WAS HOSPITALIZED. SYLVIA, KNOWING THAT EVERY EIGHT GRADE GIRL NEEDED A NEW GRADUATION DRESS, ORDERED FABRIC AND SEWED AN ADORABLE OUTFIT.
IN 1947 I WAS HONORED TO BE MAID OF HONOR AT HER WEDDING. TWO YEARS LATER I WAS HONORED AGAIN WHEN ASKED TO CARRY HER AND ALVIN’S FIRSTBORN, KEITH, TO THE BAPTISMAL FONT AT CANAAN.
MUCH LATER FOLLOWING MY WIDOWHOOD, MY SON AND I MOVED TO MN
FROM FL. SYLVIA AND I HAD DOZENS OF FUN-FILLED SHOPPING TRIPS, TRIPS TO THE EID FARM TO SEE OUR BROTHER AND TO WADENA TO SEE OUR SISTER. FAMILY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS WERE JOY-FILLED AND NOISY. WITH THE WARMTH OF FAMILY WRAPPED AROUND US, WE WERE ALL BLESSED.
SYLVIA’S LEGACY OF SERVICE TO HER CHURCH, HER FAITH, HER DEVOTION TO HER FAMILY, AND HER KINDNESS TO ALL WILL REMAIN A LIVING TESTIMONY OF WHO SHE WAS.
DEAR SISTER, I MISS YOU.
Orange Village OHMary and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Gohdes family. We feel so privileged to have met Sylvia, and many of you who survive her, at Daniel and Alicia’s wedding in August, 2010. We have great memories of how much fun Grandma Gohdes had at that wedding and the Indians/Twins game the next night!
Dave & Mary Abbuhl
I am deeply saddened to hear about Sylvia’s death. She was a special woman, who’s grace reached out to SO many of us – in so many different and inspiring ways. Prayers of peace and warm hugs, as you gather together to remember and reflect on her life.
West Fargo North Dakota
Ki
I am so sorry to read about your mom’s passing. I can only imagine the heartache. Your mom sounds like she was a wonderful lady! I can certainly see the resemblence between the two of you! Know that I am thinking of you and hoping you can feel some peace. Nobody can take the wonderful memories you have of your mom — cherish them always.
Sincerely,
Kim (Brosowske) Johnson
Edgeley ND
My sympathies to the family of Sylvia. She was such a kind and caring woman.
Detroit Lakes MN
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult. What a kind, lovely lady Sylvia was. We really appreciated her sending my Aunt Connie the weekly bulletin while she was able. I enjoyed the infrequent visits I had with her and had planned to make another luncheon date. She will be missed by many!
Deborah (Williams) Krogsgaard
(My mother was your dad’s first cousin.)
Schön, gut geschrieben!