Advertisement
Margaret Alberta Goodnow, 90, West Branch
Obituaries · October 12, 2017



Margaret Alberta (Keefer) Goodnow, 90, passed away on Oct. 3, 2017, at Crestview Specialty Care, in West Branch, Iowa.

Graveside services were held at West Branch Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at 11 a.m. The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com. A memorial fund has been established.

Margaret was born on May 22, 1927, a daughter of the late Oliver and Mildred (Hartsock) Keefer. She graduated from City High School in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1947 and attended the University of Iowa before meeting her late husband, Ralph, in 1949. They married in January 1950 and lived in numerous towns while Ralph attended school and taught school. They eventually settled in West Branch, Iowa, in 1968. She also lived for many years in Minnesota with her daughter, Laura, before returning to Iowa in 2012. Margaret (Mrs. G) provided daycare in West Branch for many years. She loved children and she found much joy in caring for her little ones. She later was a House Director for Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Iowa for several years and had many stories to share.

Margaret loved to cook, bake, knit and do many crafts. She enjoyed playing 500, Bingo, going to the casinos and working on her puzzles. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and will always be remembered for her wit and for her sense of humor.

She leaves loving memories to be cherished by: her four children, Steve Goodnow (Barb) of Midland, Mich., Barbara Goodnow of Burlington, N.C., Janelle Johnston of North Liberty, Iowa, and Laura Stevens of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her eight grandchildren: John (Anna) Goodnow, Jerrica (David) Miles, Jared Bowman (Amy), Jacquelyn Bowman, Adam Johnston, Mike (Michelle) Johnston, Joe (Katie) Stevens and Stephanie (Justin) Stafford; her 11 great-grandchildren: Dedric, DeSean, Dontae, Dhominique, Deivon, Jaylan, Una, Chase, Parker, Kelsey and Kenneth; her two great-great-grandchildren, Josiah and Khamila; and sister Norma Vickeroy of Morning Sun, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Ralph, in 1980; and siblings: Joyous Ramsey, Lyle Keefer, Burton Keefer, Betty Jones, Bobby Keefer and Robert Keefer.