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Shirley A. Goodwin, 95

Shirley Ann Belfield-Brown Goodwin was born January 12, 1928 in Belleville, Kansas. She was the daughter of Bert Lee Belfield-Brown and Cecil G. (Bell) Belfield-Brown.
She grew up and spent most of her life in Belleville, Kansas. She attended Belleville schools and was band majorette for the Belleville Buffalos Marching Band during her high school years. Shirley graduated from Belleville High School in the class of 1946.
The summer of 1946 she attended Kansas State University obtaining a Normal School Training Certificate. She later taught at Red Top Country School near Rydal, Kansas. Following teaching she worked in the family Cleaning Shops in Concordia and Mankato, Kansas, Gothenburg, Nebraska, and many years at Belleville Cleaners in Belleville, Kansas.
In 1971 she graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse from the Vo-Tech School in Beloit. Shirley worked as an LPN in the Long-Term Care unit of Republic County Hospital for 25 years, retiring in 1996. During the 70's and 80's she also worked as an EMT for the Republic County Ambulance Service.
Shirley became an active member of Eastern Star starting in 1953 with the Scandia #481 Chapter. In 1959 she moved her membership to Ophel Chapter 115 in Belleville. She was an active member of Ophel 115 for 56 years. During her membership with Ophel 115 she held 34 offices, including being Worthy Matron three times. She was a Grand Page twice, Grand District Aide and the Grand Representative for California for three years, attending California Grand Chapter as the Kansas Representative in 1993. When Ophel Chapter 115 consolidated with Clay Center Chapter 108 she continued her membership until her death, a Grand Total of 71 years! To say she was dedicated to Eastern Star is an understatement!
Shirley was a strong, quiet, wise and independent woman who spent many years being an advocate and caregiver for elderly friends and relatives. She made regular visits, well into her 90's, to Long Term Care and other Elder Care Facilities always bringing treats and treasures to the residents - the "old people" as she called lovingly called them. She was an accomplished seamstress, having learned from the BEST - her mother. She was crafty and had a knack for creating decorations for a multitude of events for church, Eastern Star, card club, Alumni Banquets and class reunions to name a few. She was an avid reader in her later years and even with macular degeneration she managed to read daily with the use of her Merlin, finishing box after box of books.
She was a member of the United Methodist Women for 40 years, the 69ers' Card Club, Swinging Swedes Square Dance Club and Past Worthy Matrons of Eastern Star.
Shirley was well traveled. She and her family had explored all states west of the Mississippi. International travel took her to Canada and Mexico, to Peru and Iran to visit her children, where she stood on the steps of Machu Picchu in Peru and Persepolis in Iran. During a trip to Europe in 1972 she traveled the Canals of Venice and the Danube River in Germany. She explored the Alps of Switzerland, and the beauty of Austria, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris, as well as Monte Carlo in Monaco, the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, and the Vatican.
December of 1946, she married Garold K. Goodwin in Wichita, Kansas. They returned to Belleville in 1958 after living in Junction City for several years and became owners of Belleville Cleaners. This union was blessed with three children, Janice Lynette, Tommy Dean and Terry Lee. Shirley and Casey were divorced in 1981. She continued living independently in the Goodwin family home until her death.
Shirley passed away peacefully at her home January 4, 2024 at the age of 95 years, 11 months and 23 days (just eight days shy of her 96th birthday) surrounded by family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Cecil Belfield-Brown; stepfather, John F, Peterka; brother, Tom Brown; infant grandson, Johathon Carlson; son-in-law, Robert G. Carlson and Garold K. Goodwin.
Shirley is survived by her children: daughter, Janice Carlson, Formoso, Kansas, sons, Tom (Annie) Goodwin, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Terry (Misty) Goodwin, Laveen, Arizona. Grandchildren: Robin Carlson, Courtland, Kansas, Jon (Amanda) Carlson, Manassas, Virginia, Amber Carlson, Conifer, Colorado, Katie (Zac Creager) Goodwin, Lee Vining, California, and step-grandson, Christopher (Ashley) Bouquet, Centennial, Colorado; great-grandchildren: Gunnar John Carlson, Caroline Kaye Carlson and Ritter James Creager.
Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, August 5, 2024 at 10:30 AM at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home with Pastor Kathy Aeillo officiating. Eastern Star Services will be conducted by Eastern Star Chapter 108. Inurnment will follow at the Belleville Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to www.bachelor-surber.com
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Pivotal Health and Wellness in care of: 3010 P Rd. Formoso, Kansas 66942.
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, 1322 19th St., Belleville, Kansas, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA