ELNA L. GOODMAN

1925-2017

Elna Lucille Prigge Goodman was happy when those around her were happy. Evidence is in the hundreds of quilts that she spent many mornings stitching alongside her friends at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, where she was a charter member. It was seen in all those Christmas afternoons, the den in her Oak Forest home humming with grown children and young grandchildren alike tearing open neatly wrapped presents from “Santa,” the name always written in her pitch-perfect cursive. She loved to cook, whether for special events, family dinners, or preparing each grandchild’s favorite breakfast after a sleepover.

Elna went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Easter morning, April 16, 2017, at the age of 91. Born on June 17, 1925 to Philip Prigge and Amanda Ellinghuysen in Winona, Minn., Elna was one of 11 children. She spent her formative years in that small town, completing high school and developing a lifelong love for making others feel special.

Elna is survived by her husband of 71 years, James Edgar Goodman, with whom she moved to Texas after their marriage in Minnesota on Dec. 15, 1945. She is also survived by her two children, James Philip Goodman and Lois Goodman Dobson; her daughter-in-law, Janet Goodman; her sister, Lilian Cada of Winona, Minn.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She dearly loved her grandchildren, who include Amanda Edwards, Neil Dobson (Melissa Cernosek), Matt Goodman, and Sarah Goodman. She also treasured her great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Tracie Edwards. She is preceded in death by her parents, nine of her siblings, and her son-in-law, William “Bill” Dobson.

A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday April 19 at the Pat H. Foley Funeral Home, 1200 West 34th Street. Her funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday April 20 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 4040 Watonga Blvd.; the burial will be private. Memorial gifts can be made to Gethsemane Lutheran Church - General Fund.