Marcell Goodwin

Marcell Goodwin

November 24, 1935 - November 10, 2020

Marcell Goodwin, age 84, of Bagley, MN, died Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home, Mahnomen, MN.

Marcell Lee Goodwin was born November 24, 1935, in White Earth, MN, the son of Thomas and Bessie (Hill) Goodwin. He grew up in the Bagley area where he attended school and received his GED. As a young man, Marcell enlisted with the United States Navy on January 24, 1955. He served four years active duty serving two tours in the Mediterranean and in the 6th Fleet in the Middle East during the Suez Crisis. He was honorably discharged in January of 1959 but served an additional four years with the Navy Reserve. Marcell was united in marriage to Janice McDougall on July 18, 1959 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Naytahwaush, MN. They were blessed with five children, with their first born passing away at birth. Marcell and Janice also raised five foster children as their own. Over the years, they lived in Chicago, IL, Rice Lake, MN, and moved to Ebro, MN, in 1972. Marcell had a career in law enforcement that spanned 25 years, including time with the SWAT Team and the Task Force. He worked as a Deputy Sheriff for 15 years before being elected as the Sheriff of Clearwater County for eight years. After he retired from the Sheriff’s Department, Marcell was employed at the Shooting Star Casino as the Head Security Guard for a few years. He and Janice continued to make their home in Ebro until his declining health required him to become a resident of the nursing home in January of 2019.

Marcell had a great sense of humor and loved to tease. He always had a nickname for everyone, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time outdoors while fishing, hunting, and tending to his beautiful flower gardens. Marcell also enjoyed camping with his family, going to the casino and relaxing to a good book. His ultimate joy was spending time with his family. Marcell was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins, but nothing beat watching his grandchildren on the field for football games and on the ice for hockey games. His favorite holidays were Christmas and the 4th of July. Marcell genuinely loved viewing the Independence Day fireworks from his lawn chair on South Twin Lake. He was known for his famous soups and biscuits, always sharing them with his friends and family. Marcell took pride in his community, becoming a member of the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association, Ivan Blix Post #16 American Legion in Bagley, and was the first Native American Sheriff in Minnesota. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Marcell is survived by his wife, Janice of Bagley; two sons, Michael Goodwin and Patrick (Stacey) Goodwin both of Bagley; two daughters, Gloria Goodwin and Katherine Clark both of Bagley; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; four brothers: Cleve (Deborah) Goodwin of Bagley, Darrell (Joyce) Goodwin of Lengby, MN, Larry Goodwin and Alvis Goodwin both of Bagley; one sister, Denice (Vernon) Iverson of Bemidji, MN; sister-in-law, Gloria Goodwin of Bagley; five foster children; several nieces, nephews and many extended family of Janice. Marcell was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, two brothers, Clinton and Daniel; three sisters: Marcy (Chuck) Halvorson, Beverly Midbo and Luella (Eugene) Iverson; son-in-law, Steve “Punky” Clark; and a grandson, Shawn Clark.

Blessed be the memory of Marcell Goodwin.

A Funeral Service with military honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16, 2020 at Faith Hill Assembly of God Church in Bagley, MN. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 15, 2020, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the church. Interment will be held in St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery, Naytahwaush, MN.

All COVID 19 safety requirements will be followed at the church and in honoring those safety measures, there will not be any food or fellowship following the funeral. Your gift of love and continued support is deeply appreciated by Marcell’s family.

Visitation

Faith Hill Assembly of God

Sunday, November 15, 2020

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

721 Schilling Rd SE

Bagley, MN

prayer service beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Funeral Service

Faith Hill Assembly of God

Monday, November 16, 2020

1:00 PM

721 Schilling Rd SE

Bagley, MN