Steven D. Goodfellow

Steven Dean Goodfellow, age 95, slipped peacefully into the arms of the Lord on December 18, 2025, at The Neighborhoods in Brookings, South Dakota.

Visitation will take place at Rude's Funeral home in Brookings, South Dakota, on January 2, 2026 from 5-7 pm. Funeral services will be held at Grace Free Lutheran Church in Bruce, South Dakota, on January 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with internment to follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bruce.

Steve was born on July 9, 1930, in Volga, South Dakota, to Dean and Hortense (Shaffer) Goodfellow. He attended Aggie School and proudly served his country as a veteran of the Korean Conflict, stationed in San Francisco, California.

On January 23, 1955, Steve married Arloine Bergheim. They were blessed with three children: Roxy, Lonnie, and Becky.

Steve took great pride in purchasing the Preston Ranch, which became Goodfellow Angus Ranch, where gardens and flowers flourished, and children were raised. He and Arloine cherished looking out over the lake and watching pelicans and geese as the seasons changed.

They instilled in their children and grandchildren a love of the land and gratitude for life's blessings.

A dedicated cattleman, Steve raised registered Angus cattle and was named Stockman of the Year, receiving recognition at the Little I for his contributions to agriculture. He was honored by the American Angus Association in Watertown, South Dakota, and received the Historic Angus Herd Award for both his 50th and 60th years of raising Angus cattle.

Steve served on the Brookings County Conservation Board and was an avid conservationist, planting many acres of trees. He was also a devoted supporter of the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits, cheering on both athletics and fine arts.

He worked at the Beef Unit at South Dakota State University, where he was affectionately known as "Beaver" to the students he fondly called "his kids." Many bull and heifer calves over the years were named after those students. Steve and Arloine treasured the relationships they formed with the SDSU community.

A faithful member of Grace Free Lutheran Church, Steve served as church president and was active on the church council, Bible study, and choir.

Steve loved to laugh, share coffee, and tell jokes. He enjoyed checking cattle on his four-wheeler, stopping in for coffee, and visiting neighbors to see what was happening around the community. For many years, he also brought joy as the neighborhood Santa.

Left to treasure Steve's memory are his children: Roxy (Cliff) Janke of Maple Grove, MN;

Lonnie Goodfellow of Brookings, SD; and Rebecca (Stephen) Guetter of Fairmont, MN; grandchildren Kate (Tim) Kallevig, Nathan Janke (fiancée Ava McFarland), Conner (Abby)

Guetter, Kyle (Elise) Guetter, and Courtney (Eric) Benson; great-grandchildren Evan, Elin, and Dean, with great grandbaby Benson on the way, and his sister-in-law, Deanna Bergheim.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Arloine; his parents and parents-in-law; brothers Vance and Marc; and sisters Joyce Jones and Harriet Landon.

The family extends special thanks to the staff at The Neighborhoods for the care and kindness shown to Steve and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Grace Free Lutheran Church in Bruce, South Dakota, or to the donor's choice.