Rueben Goehring

Rueben E. Goehring 88, Jamestown, ND died Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Eventide at Hi-Acres in Jamestown.

Rueben Ervin Goehring was born May 17, 1923, in Mound City, SD, the son of Henry and Rosina (Schuler) Goehring. He attended school in Emmons County, ND. Rueben enlisted in the United States Navy on October 12, 1942, and served his country during World War II. Upon his honorable discharge in January of 1946, he returned to North Dakota. On October 24, 1948, Rueben married Mabel Orthmeyer in Hazelton, ND. After their marriage, Rueben and Mabel moved to Selby, SD, where he worked as a mechanic in an implement dealership and later became an elevator manager. He continued that profession for 31 years and managed elevators in Selby and Java, SD, and Kulm, Rolla, and Esmond, ND. They moved to Jamestown in 1983 where they managed apartments. Rueben was known as ?Mr. Fix It? to the youth that occupied their buildings and in the neighborhood, as he would eagerly repair their toys and bicycles, as well as anything in the apartments that needed his expertise. They have made Jamestown their retirement home.

Rueben was a member of the First United Methodist Church, serving on many boards. He was active in the Masonic Bodies in all the communities that they lived. He was a 50 + year member of both the Masonic Blue Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star. He was currently a member of Wimbledon Lodge #71 and previously a member of Jamestown Masonic Lodge # 3, Rolla Masonic Lodge #66, and Selby Masonic Lodge #133. Rueben served as Worshipful Master in the Selby Lodge, Rolla Lodge, as well as the Jamestown Lodge. He and Mabel were active in the Order of the Eastern Star and where he served as Worthy Patron. He had also been a 33 Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Kem Shrine Temple in Grand Forks, ND.

He enjoyed fishing with family and friends, the Minnesota Twins, dancing the polka and square-dancing with his wife, spending time with his family, especially his grand and great-grandchildren, wood carving, playing cards, and building and fixing things.

Rueben is survived by his wife, Mabel, Jamestown; two children, Allan (Sue) Goehring, Wimbledon, and Nancy Goehring, Jamestown; two grandchildren, Molly (Brian) Bestge, Fargo, ND, and Katie (Kurtis) Karn, Fargo; and two great grandchildren, Sam and Mara Bestge of Fargo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters.