James Goblirsch

Jungi Goblirsch, 88, of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota passed away peacefully on May 20, 2025, at the Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center with his loving sisters at his side. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

James “Jungi” Goblirsch, Sr. was born April 8, 1937, to Michael and Veronica Goblirsch on the family farm outside of Sleepy Eye. He attended Albin Country school until 8th grade and then worked alongside his dad on the farm. He was drafted into the US Army and remained active with the Sleepy Eye Servicemen’s Club upon return. He married Betty “Jane” Stecklein on September 2, 1967, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye and eventually settled on the family homestead, the place he would call home until he moved to town in 2022. Jungi was an avid farmer of crops and livestock, later using his talents to garden and raise chickens. He was a salty fastpitch softball player and was heavily involved with Leavenworth baseball association. He was a foster parent to numerous children through the years and could make a friend wherever he went with his funny one-liners. He was blessed with a wonderful family that he married into and enjoyed trips to Iowa to visit them. And much to the dismay of his friends and family, Jungi was a proud Yankees fan.

He is survived by his son, Jim Goblirsch, Jr. (Karen) of Vermillion, SD; grandchildren, Parker (Sioux Falls, SD), Kennedy (Brookings, SD) and Jake (Madison, SD); siblings, Carol Cibuzar, Jerome “Jay”, Joan Meyer, Gary “Gus” (Judy), Charlene “Chuckie” Forster, Lindy (Dick) Schroepfer, Roger, Susie (Ramy) Kral, and Mary Jo Hille (fiancé Greg Gardner) along with many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Jungi is happily reunited with his wife of 52 years. He was also preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Michael and Steven; infant brothers, Joseph and Paul; and grandson, Peyton.