Lou Goedhart

Louis “Lou” Pieter Adrian Goedhart Jr., 62, peacefully passed away on July 8, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones in Arthur, Iowa.

Lou was born May 9, 1964, in Chino, California, to Louis Pieter Adrian Goedhart Sr. and Murilene F. (Gresham) Goedhart. He attended different schools in San Bernardino County, California. While in high school, Lou developed a passion for riding bulls for a few years.

Upon entering the workforce, Lou worked various jobs until he joined the airlines as a cargo handler. He worked for the airlines, which is now known as American, for 34 years until his retirement in 2019.

In 1997, Lou met the love of his life, Deb Fredericks, on a blind date. On June 18, 1999, at Lake Tahoe, California, Lou and Deb were married in a private ceremony. They made their home in Phoenix, Arizona, until Lou’s retirement in 2019. They then traveled north and settled in the peaceful mountain country near Columbus, Montana.

Lou and Deb enjoyed being outdoors. They spent time hiking in the South Mountains near Phoenix, jet skiing, mountain biking, and spending time with their beloved Rottweilers, affectionately known as "his boyz"—Grizz, Bear, Clyde, Cooper, Falken, and Ruger.

Lou had many self-taught talents that brought beauty to the world. His landscaping abilities beautified their homes in Phoenix, Arizona, and Columbus, Montana, as well as the homes of others. He was meticulous with details, from cleaning to landscaping, carpentry, and auto restoration. His dedication to detail won him numerous awards and trophies at car shows for his truck restorations. Lou’s truck was even featured as the centerfold in the magazine Hot Rod.

Moved by the calling of the Holy Spirit, Lou was baptized on August 24, 2013, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig, Iowa, surrounded by his nephews and nieces. As he grew to know our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, he openly shared his faith with others.

Lou is survived by his wife, Deb Goedhart, of 27 years; mother-in-law, Coleen Fredericks of Arthur; brothers-in-law: James H. Fredericks Jr. and his wife, Melinda, of Absarokee, Montana, and Dennis Fredericks of Ida Grove, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Diane Hemer and her husband, Dave, of Arthur, Iowa, and Darla Coyle and her husband, Richard, of Early; nephews: Kyle Coyle of Lytton, Dalton Hemer and his wife, Bailey, of Ida Grove, Dylan Hemer of Arthur, Cody Fredericks and special friend, Kaylee Olgren, of Cambridge, and Lee Fredericks and fiancée, Sally Goeckler of Ida Grove; nieces: Madison Cronin and her husband, Mark, of Holstein, Taya Seidl and her husband, Keagen, of Kiron, Megan Coyle of Early, Master-at-Arms Seaman, Molly Coyle at Kings Bay Naval Base, Georgia, and Jordyn Freese and her husband, Austin, of Westside; great-nephews and great-nieces: Violet and Liam Seidl, Henry Hemer, and Lucy Cronin; along with numerous friends and distant family members on the West Coast.

Lou was preceded in death by his mother, Murilene F. Brosch; father, Louis Pieter Adrian Goedhart; and father-in-law, James Fredericks.

His funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., with visitation from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. Interment will follow in the Morgan Cemetery.