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2023/12/24 - Buffalo, Wyoming, AEB

(Harness Funeral Homen argitara emana)

Funeral services for Victor Goni, 79-year-old Kaycee resident, who passed away Sunday morning at his home, will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 30th at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Buffalo with Pastor Don Paulson officiating. Visitation will be at Harness Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, December 29th from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Interment will be at Willow Grove Cemetery with graveside services to follow the funeral. A reception will be held at the Fairgrounds following the graveside service. Donations in his memory may be made to the Victor Goni Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO box 1053, Buffalo, Wyoming 82834. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.

Victor Goni, a cherished family man, respected rancher, and beloved member of the Johnson County community, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2023, at the age of 79. Born on February 23, 1944, in the picturesque village of Beinza-Labayen, Navarra, Spain, Victor's journey led him from the rolling hills of his homeland to the wide-open spaces of Wyoming, where he made a profound impact on all who knew him.

Victor's formative years were spent in Lesaca, Spain, where he attended local schools and developed a strong work ethic that would define his life. His early career as a lumberjack in France laid the foundation for his adventurous spirit and resilience. In search of greater opportunities, Victor moved to America, where he initially worked as a sheepherder, demonstrating his adaptability and willingness to embrace new challenges.

The American West called to Victor, and he found a home on the Esponda Ranch in Wyoming. His passion for ranching grew, and in 1984, he took a significant step by leasing a ranch to start his own sheep business. A decade later, in 1994, Victor's dream was fully realized when he purchased his own ranch. There, surrounded by the beauty of nature, he spent his days tending to his sheep and living a life that resonated with his core values of hard work and dedication.

Victor's love for the outdoors extended beyond his professional life. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, finding solace and joy in the quiet moments by a stream or in the thrill of the hunt. His garden was a testament to his patience and care, yielding bountiful harvests that he delighted in sharing with family and friends. Victor's culinary skills were renowned, and he took great pleasure in cooking for his loved ones, creating meals that were as much about community as they were about sustenance.

Above all, Victor was a family man. He is survived by his enduring love, Grace Garro, who was his partner in both life's adventures and its quiet moments. His legacy lives on through his children: Victor Goni Jr. and his wife Darcy of Buffalo, Wyoming; Clinton Goni, also of Buffalo; Cameron Goni of Billings, Montana; Sara Portwine and her husband Dalton of Kaycee, Wyoming; Mckenzie Hokanson of Casper; Kaytlin Hokanson of Gillette, Wyoming. Victor's role as a grandfather was one he cherished deeply, and he will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Dallas, Gavin, Fisher, Sawyer, and Ira, as well as his great-grandchildren Vaeda and Ryker.

Victor is also survived by his siblings and their spouses.

-sister Maria Rosa Goñi Albistur and spouse Pedro Zozaya (deceased) lives in Beintza-Labaien
-brother Juan José Goñi Albistur and spouse Elena lives in California
-sister Cándida Goñi Albistur and spouse Jesús Echeverria Echeverria lives in Beintza-Labaien
-sister Juana Goñi Albistur lives in Beintza-Labaien
-sister Modesta Goñi Albistur and spouse Angel Alvarez lives in Irun
-brother Pedro Goñi Albistur lives in Beintza-Labaien

Victor was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Maria Josefa Goñi Albistur, and his brother Manuel Goñi Albistur. 

As the sun sets on the Wyoming plains that Victor so dearly loved, we bid farewell to a man whose life was a tapestry of hard work, family, and the simple pleasures that make life rich. His journey from the Basque Country to the heart of the American West is a story of perseverance, love, and an unbreakable connection to the land.

Goian Bego - May he Rest in Peace