Viola Marie Goodwin

Viola Marie Schenk Goodwin, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, left this earthly life on January 3, 2025 to return to her Heavenly Father and to the loving arms of her eternal sweetheart, Jerry.

She was born on January 7, 1931 in Wenatchee, Washington to Viola Wilhelmenia Erickson and Peter Wilhelm Schenk. She graduated from Wenatchee High School and then went on to earn a BA degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Sociology from BYU. After graduation, she taught at Vineland School District, Bakersfield, CA. While there, she attended a dance with her roommates and met a very handsome tall man in the Airforce. They quickly fell in love and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 22, 1955. Family was very important to them and they were blessed with 3 daughters and a son. They devoted their lives to being great parents.

Viola continued to teach at a variety of schools as they moved to different areas. While Jerry was stationed at Edwards Airforce base in Mojave, CA, she taught for the Mojave Unified School District. After relocating the family to Portland Oregon, she taught at Multnomah County School District. Hayward, California was the next stop for their family where they lived for 15 years. Here she taught for the Hayward Unified School District. Jerry’s work took them to Germany, which has given the family so many amazing memories. Their next move was to Pleasanton, California and they lived there for 12 years before settling in Logan, Utah which has been their home for the past 36 years. While in Logan, Viola continued with her teaching skills as a substitute teacher and had the opportunity to sub for some of her grandchildren.

Viola is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was very active and served in various teaching and leadership positions. Viola and Jerry loved to entertain and either hosted in their home or helped plan many church and community events, from Halloween to Christmas parties and plays. They both loved to serve. Viola served on several community boards: USU/Community Concert Series, where she also served as president; Cache County Republican Women, and also served as president; Circle of Friends for the Child & Family Services; Cache County Historical Society as a committee member, and the Women of Utah Pioneers.

Her service did not end there. Jerry and Viola served a 2-year mission for the LDS Church in Nauvoo, IL, where she was the director of the Land and Records office. Viola lost the love of her life in November 2005 to Non-Hodgkins lymphoma yet she continued to serve in both the community and the church.

Viola loved spending time with her family and traveling. Some of her favorite travels took her to the Griffen ranch in Escalante, UT for family reunions, to the beaches on the Oregon coast, Hawaii, Disneyland, Rome, and many other places. She absolutely loved the beach and would often say to everyone: “The ocean is so healing!”

Viola and Jerry’s legacy is strong and continues to grow. She is lovingly known to all of her grandchildren and their friends as Grams.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jerry Goodwin, her son Mark Goodwin, her mother Viola Schenk, her father Peter Schenk, and her sister Marilyn (Jeanie) Griffen. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Teresa (Bill) Gilvear, Shelly (Rod) Flanigan and Allison (Steve) Milne; Sister Liz (Scott)Ness, Brother, Peter (Kim) Schenk; 9 grandchildren, Shawn, Ryan, Emily, Jenny, Andrea, Kyle, Scotty, Danielle and Topher; 6 Bonus grandchildren, 5 1/2 great grandchildren and 18 bonus great grandchildren.

She was an amazing woman with an incredible zest for life. Everyone in her family always knew how much she loved them, unconditionally. Her capacity to love and care for others is endless. Our memories of her will stay with us always.

When asked on her 90th birthday what she would like everyone to know, her response was “Just be kind to everyone…. And don’t forget me!!!

The family would like to express our love and gratitude to all the wonderful staff at the Legacy House in Logan and the Intermountain Health and Hospice team. They loved Viola and always made her feel so special.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025:
LDS Lundstrom Park 3rd Ward Building
1260 N 1600 E, Logan Utah 84341
Viewing: 9:30 – 10:30 am
Service: 11:00 am

Interment at Logan Cemetery following the service.

TO VIEW VIOLA'S FUNERAL SERVICE LIVE PLEASE CLICK HERE

*Disclaimer: If for some reason the livestream of the Funeral Service does not work we will record the service and upload the video and/or audio recording at a later date.* 

Memories and condolences may be share and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.