Velmer Goebel

A Celebration of life service for Reverend Velmer Goebel, age 85, of Enid will be 11:00am, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with Reverend Dwayne Schroeder officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, from 4-5pm, Monday, July 7, 2025. Service arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory.

Reverend Velmer H. Goebel, Enid, OK, reached his heavenly home, surrounded by family, on June 20, 2025, in Enid, OK, at the age of 85.

He was born on October 21, 1939, near Ceylon, MN to Martin and Anna (Panzer) Goebel. His final resting place will be St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Wilbert, MN.

With humility and unwavering trust in the Lord, Pastor Goebel touched countless lives through his ministry and provided a legacy of love, faith, and leadership for his family.

Velmer was baptized in 1939 and confirmed in 1953 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Wilbert, MN. He attended St. Paul's Lutheran School through the 8th grade and graduated from Fairmont High School in Fairmont, MN in 1957.

He married Lorelei Kaelberer, New Salem, ND on August 11, 1961. Throughout their marriage, Lorelei served faithfully alongside him, enhancing his ministry by playing piano and organ and serving in numerous other capacities. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Karla Jean and Janelle Kay.

Velmer received his associate's degree from Concordia College, St. Paul, MN in 1959, his bachelor's degree from Concordia College, Seward, NE in 1961, and his master's degree from Winona State College, Winona, MN in 1969. He was called as a Lutheran school teacher to Rochester Central Lutheran School in Rochester, MN in 1961 where he served as a teacher, coach, and music director in various grades from 1961 to 1978. He also served as junior and senior choir director and confirmation instructor at Grace Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN.

From 1978 to 1980, he served as Director of Christian Education at Zion Lutheran Church in Alva, OK. In 1980, he was accepted into the colloquy program for the ministry of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He served his vicarage at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake MN, where he was ordained in 1982 and served until 1984.

Other congregations he served were Trinity Lutheran Church, Medicine Lodge, KS; Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsburg, KS; and Zion Lutheran Church, Lahoma, OK. During his years of full-time ministry in Oklahoma, he served on the Board of Education for the Oklahoma district and as a circuit visitor for the Enid circuit. He also served as Third, Second, and First VP of Oklahoma District for several years.

He retired from a full-time ministry in 2004. In retirement, he served vacancies in Guthrie, Garber and Stillwater and preached in numerous area Oklahoma churches.

Velmer is survived by his wife, Lorelei of the home; daughters, Karla Sisco (Mark), Edmond, OK, and Janelle Faulkner, Edmond, OK; grandchildren Cole (Chelsey) Sisco, Edmond, OK, Casady (Trevor) Courtney, Edmond, OK, Caleb Sisco, Edmond, OK, Lindsay (Mark) Fleming, Edmond, OK, Mason Faulkner (Alexis), Baltimore, MD, and Joshua Faulkner, Baltimore, MD; great-grandchildren Collins and Rowen Fleming, Bennett and Brighton Courtney, Jones Mae Sisco and Baby Boy Sisco; sisters Laraine Ritchie, Rochester, MN and Marlys Goebel, Minneapolis, MN, and brother Marvin Goebel, Fairmont, MN, along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Elaine Fjelsrud; a brother-in-law, Helmer Fjelsrud; a sister-in-law, Janice Goebel; and a nephew, Bob Ritchie.

Memorials in honor of Velmer Goebel may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church Youth Fund, Enid, OK.

Condolences may be made, memories shared, and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.