Iva Marie Goodhall was a beloved grandmother, mother, and wife during her 93 years of life. She passed away peacefully on September 12, 2023 surrounded by her family.
Born on July 14, 1930 in Ashley, Michigan to Gladys Marie and Alden Tupper Burlingame, Marie was the oldest of two children. She was raised in Ashley and graduated from Ashley High School in 1947. She married the love of her life, Willard Herbert Goodhall, on September 10, 1948. In 1949, they welcomed their first child Linda, followed by Sharon, and then Rodney.
Marie loved to spend time with her family and friends, to travel, watch the birds, play cards, and work with plants. She volunteered for over 40 years at the Ashley Nursing Home weekly calling Bingo numbers and believed strongly in giving back. American Red Cross awarded her the Lifetime Achievement award for her service to Gratiot County in 1997. She also volunteered her time at countless funeral dinners for the North Star community, volunteered at the Ithaca Day Camp held at Reed Park, as well as the North Star Easter Egg Hunt.
In addition to her volunteering, she began working with flowers at Kleinhan’s Greenhouse, which led her to opening her own greenhouse called Flower’s by Marie. She used that creativity with flowers to design floral arrangements for many community grave side urns. She also spent time as a member of the Chit Chat Club.
She was known affectionately as “Grandma Marie” to all who met her and always had an open door for anyone who stopped by. She was always up for a game of cards with her family and could talk to anyone. She loved a good slot machine, blueberry pancakes, and was always waiting with open arms for one of her amazing hugs. She was stubborn, fiercely independent, loving, and unfailingly welcomed everyone and anyone to family dinners at her house. She was the center of her family and will be incredibly missed.
Marie is predeceased by her husband, her three children Linda Goodhall, Sharon Carman, and Rodney Goodhall. She is also predeceased by her parents, as well as her brother, Jack Burlingame.
She is survived by her son-in-law, Rodger Carman, her daughter-in-law, Becky Goodhall, bonus daughter Cindy (Ray) Hernandez, as well as her grandchildren Shalon (Dave Rozich) Nieman, James (Nikee) Carman, MaLynda (Jeremie) Smith, Shane (Laura) Carman, Amanda (Keith) Kuczynski, and Holly (Tom) High. In addition, she is survived by her great grandchildren: Tyler (Alex), Brendan (Kacey), Megan (Jared), Ryan (Sarah), Jeren, JaLyn (Anthony), Haden, Madee, Alden, Nathan, Justin, Luke, Iva, Marie, Kodie, Dylan, Zak, Garrett (Jenna), and Grace (Brandon). She is survived by four great-great grandchildren: Akia, Sawyer, Paisley, and Addyson, as well as three more on the way. She also leaves many other family members, friends, and countless others who will miss her dearly. Her impact on her family is immeasurable and she will be missed beyond what words can say.
A visitation with the family will be held at Barden’s Funeral Home in Ithaca on Monday, September 18th, 2023 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. The memorial service will begin at 4:00pm. Donations can be made to Gratiot Animals in Need, P.O. Box 363, Ithaca, Michigan 48847.
The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.