A Celebration of Life Gathering for Dewey Godfredsen, age 72, of Spirit Lake, was held Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Elinor Bedell State Park in Spirit Lake. Duane “Dewey” Godfredsen passed away on Sunday, July 12, at his home in Spirit Lake, IA, after a day full of visits from family members and friends.
Dewey was born on January 22, 1954, in Spirit Lake, Iowa, to Lyle and Gertrude (Uhr) Godfredsen. He spent his childhood at the family’s home and business the LakeVu Motel with his 7 brothers and sisters. This is also where he would meet his future wife when he said hi by pushing her in the motel swimming pool. Evidently, he really liked her! He attended and graduated from Spirit Lake High School where he participated in several sports and graduated in 1972. He was also very active in Boy Scouts. He then attended Jackson Vocational school and earned his certificate in Electromechanical Drafting.
During high school he and Dawn (Charly) began dating. They were engaged in 1972 and wed in 1974. This union produced 3 children, Dustin, Danielle and Drew. They were married for 52 years.
Motorcycles were a part of Dewey’s life from the age of 14 until his death. Dirt bike racing and then the open road on his Harley. Both of his boys, Dustin and Drew, enjoy his passion as well. Dewey also enjoyed gardening, trips to Arizona to spending time with kids and grandkids, yearly trips to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, woodworking, and helping anyone who asked with projects and repairs or just a shoulder to lean on.
Dewey wore many career hats throughout his life including Chef, Draftsman, Powdered Paint Operator, Carpenter, Lathe Operator/Machinist, all around handyman and actor. He made his acting debut in the movie Prudence Drive playing Karl in 2018.
He wasn’t a man of many words, but when he spoke, it was because he had something worth saying. Sometimes it was a thoughtful observation, sometimes a joke, and often it was a wise-aleck comment delivered with perfect timing. He had a dry sense of humor that caught people off guard and a way of making others think while making them smile. His grin, complete with big dimples and a familiar twinkle in his eye, became his trademark and is an image his family and friends will carry with them forever.
Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Dawn; children, Dustin (Taylor), Danielle, and Drew (Lisa); grandchildren, Molly, Jacob, Emmet, Gage, Taylor, Madden, Charlotte, and granddog, Professor Ridley; brothers, Larry, Roger (Vickie), Dennis, and Kevin (Shari); and sister Dawn; brother and sister in-law Doug and Donna Fisher; brother and sister-in-law Randy and Julie Weaver; and many, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Lyle and Gertrude Godfredsen; sister Lynne Niemeyer and her husband Bernie; sister Wanda Karlin and her husband Harvey; sister-in-law Bernadine Godfredsen; mother-in-law and father-in-law Mae and Clyde Weaver; niece Sara Fisher, and great-nephew Brennan Godfredsen.
Arrangements are under the care of Turner Jenness Funeral Home.
