Duane “Dewey” Godfredsen, 72, of Spirit Lake, died Sunday, July 12, 2026, at his home after spending the day visiting with family and friends.
Born January 22, 1954, in Spirit Lake to Lyle and Gertrude Uhr Godfredsen, Dewey grew up with seven brothers and sisters at the family-owned LakeVu Motel. According to his obituary, that was also where he met his future wife, Dawn, after introducing himself by pushing her into the motel swimming pool.
Dewey graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1972, participating in several sports and remaining active in Boy Scouts. He later earned a certificate in electromechanical drafting from Jackson Vocational School.
Dewey and Dawn began dating during high school, became engaged in 1972 and married in 1974. They shared 52 years of marriage and raised three children, Dustin, Danielle and Drew.
Motorcycles remained one of Dewey’s defining passions from age 14 through the end of his life. His adventures ranged from dirt-bike racing to cruising the open road on his Harley, including annual trips to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
He also enjoyed gardening, woodworking and traveling to Arizona to see his children and grandchildren. His obituary notes that Dewey was always willing to lend his skills to a repair project or offer support to someone who needed a steady shoulder.
Over the years, Dewey worked as a chef, draftsman, powdered-paint operator, carpenter, machinist and all-around handyman. He also became an actor, portraying Karl in the 2018 movie “Prudence Drive.”
Family members will remember Dewey’s well-timed wisecracks, dry sense of humor, broad grin and trademark dimples. Although he was not known as a man of many words, those closest to him knew that when he spoke, he usually had something meaningful—or mischievously funny—to say.
Dewey is survived by his wife, Dawn; children Dustin and Taylor, Danielle, and Drew and Lisa; grandchildren Molly, Jacob, Emmet, Gage, Taylor, Madden and Charlotte; and his granddog, Professor Ridley.
He is also survived by his brothers, Larry, Roger and Vickie, Dennis, and Kevin and Shari; his sister, Dawn; in-laws Doug and Donna Fisher and Randy and Julie Weaver; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Lynne Niemeyer and Wanda Karlin; brothers-in-law Bernie Niemeyer and Harvey Karlin; sister-in-law Bernadine Godfredsen; parents-in-law Mae and Clyde Weaver; niece Sara Fisher; and great-nephew Brennan Godfredsen.
A celebration of life gathering will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the Elinor Bedell State Park Shelter House, 1619 260th Avenue in Spirit Lake.
Turner Jenness Family Funeral Home is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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