Goodwin, Thelma Lucille (Stoddard)

GOODWIN, STODDARD, CROSS

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 17:09:36

Funeral services for Thelma Lucille Goodwin, 65, of Knoxville, who died Monday, Aug. 5, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, were held Friday, Aug. 9, at Williams Funeral Home. Rev. David Pinkerton and Pastor Sheldon Starkenburg officiated at the services. Marty Duffus was the vocalist accompanied by Darlene Mooberry, organist.

Interment was at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. Casketbearers were Jim and John Brees, Keith Brown, Allan Frandson, and Bob and Jim Pelong.

Thelma was born on Aug. 15, 1936, in West Des Moines. She was the daughter of Thelma Iona Cross and Lawrence Clark Stoddard. She married Charles Keith Goodwin on Dec. 31, 1962. To this union two daughters were born.

Thelma graduated from Drake University with a bachelor of science majoring in physical education. She earned her masters degree in physical education and secondary administrative certificate from Drake University. In 1999, she received her Ph.D. in education from Walden University. She also took Ph.D. level courses in higher education at Iowa State University, University of Iowa, University of Northern Colorado and the University of Northern Iowa.

Thelma was a teacher of physical education and health, drill team and cheerleader coach and director of intramurals in the Knoxville Community schools from 1959 to 1964. She was the assistant professor of physical education at Central College from 1965 to 1990. During her tenure, Thelma was chairperson of recreation, supervised intramurals, director and chair of intramurals council, coach of volleyball, tennis, golf, and basketball. From 1990 to 1996, Thelma was employed by the Des Moines Public Schools where she taught a variety of subjects including math, science, English, physical education and history. During this time Thelma was the recipient of a government grant, through Iowa State University Extension Offices, assisting as an educator, counselor, presenting workshops and assisting in the area of social needs and securing jobs for the unemployed.

Thelma worked for the last two years in the BGM (Brooklyn, Guernsey and Malcom) school district as a resource room teacher. Thelma was employed by The Homestead, in Altoona, as a consumer specialist working with the autistic. In addition, Gateway Recreation Private Golf and Pool in Monroe currently employed her as a Certified Pool Operator.

Over the past years, Thelma held positions as the Low-Rent Housing Director for the City of Knoxville, Recreation Director and Swimming Pool Manager for the City of Knoxville, Park Program Director for Pleasantville, Parks and Recreation Department for Pleasant Hill, and Junior High volleyball coach for Carlisle Community schools.

Thelma is listed in Who's Who in the Midwest and Who's Who in America. She was an active member of the Knoxville community serving as the chairperson and a member of the Knoxville Recreation Commission for nine years and twice elected president of the Knoxville Teachers Association. She was the president and an elder at the Knoxville Christian Church, Disciples of Christ and coach of AAU basketball and gymnastic teams.

Thelma contributed much time throughout her life to many different organizations, some of which include: teacher consultant for the National Physical Education Convention, member of the American Alliance of Physical Education, Citizen Ambassador Program, "People to People" Russia, organizer of Substance Abuse Class at Central College and recipient of Senator Harkin Award "Drug-Free by 93", tennis and volleyball coach, faculty committee member of the Student Honors and Student Affairs Committee at Central College and director of South Central Iowa Girls Basketball Camp.

Thelma and her daughters operated Goodwin's Pella Gymnastic School for many years. Thelma enjoyed playing tennis, flowers and gardening. She liked to teach swimming with her daughter, Dawn. Thelma and her family hosted race fans during Nationals week. Most of all, she enjoyed and cherished time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Patricia Ann Stoddard and HarrietIona Stoddard.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Goodwin of Knoxville; two daughters, Robin and her husband, Keith Brown, of Walford and Dawn Goodwin of Knoxville; two brothers, Gary Stoddard of Waterloo and Larry and his wife, Sheryl, Stoddard of Des Moines; and three sisters, Evelyn and her husband, Glenn Petre, of Adel, Wilma Stoddard of Carlisle and Gladys and her husband, Al Cordell, of Des Moines.

Memorials may be made to her family.

Arrangements were made by Williams Funeral Home.

The Pella Chronicle, September 3, 2002