ELAINE N. GODMAN

 

      Elaine N. Godman, 80, of Churchs Ferry, ND, died Monday, June 8, 2009, at Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake.  Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 17, 2009,  4:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Churchs Ferry, with Pastor Richard Budd and Pastor Richard Craig officiating.  Burial will be in the Churchs Ferry Cemetery.  Casket bearers will be:  Casper Beck,  Norman Clark,  Roger Copeland,  Russell Michaels,  Allan Nord and Oalf Nord.  Honorary bearers are the members of the Irvine Friendship Club.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 7pm with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home in Cando and Wednesday at the church an hour before the funeral.  Music will be from:  Darlene Albertson, soloist with Father James Lease, organist.

 

     Elaine N. Godman was born July 16, 1928 on the Lorenz family farm near Lawton, ND, to Carl and Cora (Hursman) Lorenz.  Her father died when she was two years old.  Elaine, her mother and brother moved to Devils Lake.  While in high school, Elaine worked for her room and board with various Devils Lake families and graduated in 1946 from the Devils Lake High School.  On June 24, 1946, Elaine married William T. Godman, Jr. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Devils Lake.  The reception was held at the home of Ben and Erna Halle. The couple honeymooned in Yellowstone National Park. Elaine and Bill have lived on the Godman family farm near Churchs Ferry since their marriage where Elaine was an active farm wife and Bill’s grain hauler for many years.  She was also employed as an assistant to the postmaster in Churchs Ferry and as a substitute mail carrier for a number of years. She was an accomplished seamstress and talented in crocheting and cross-stitching.  Her knitting bag was always with her as she was always busy.  Elaine was an excellent cook and a gracious hostess.  The door was always open and the coffee pot was always on.

 

     Elaine was a member of the Maza United Methodist Church and then Churchs Ferry United Methodist Church and UMW until it closed and currently was a member of the Cando United Methodist Church.  She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School for many years.  Elaine was a faithful supporter of Zion Lutheran Church in Churchs Ferry, the ELCW and a member of the quilting group.  She was a member of the Irvine Friendship Club for over 60 years and was currently serving as president and had been a member of the Churchs Ferry PTA.    

 

     Surviving are her husband:  William T. Godman, Jr;  five children:  Judith (Edwin) Lease of Catawissa, PA,  Barbara (Kenneth) Kluzak of Lakeville, MN,  Cynthia Schwartz of Rugby, ND,  Richard (Janet) Godman of Devils Lake, ND and Donald (Tracy) Godman of Cando, ND;  six grandchildren:  Father James Lease of New Cumberland, PA,  Deborah (Stephen) Veit of Grand Marais, MN,  Katherine Schwartz of Rugby,  Thomas Schwartz of Rugby, ND,  Joey Vig and Crystal Godman, both of Cando, ND;  a brother:  Charles (Elsie) Lorenz of Great Falls, MT;  a brother-in-law:  Orvil Godman of San Diego, CA; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

 

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Lorenz and Cora Hursman Lorenz Willard;  an infant sister, Corabelle and a son-in-law:  Perry Schwartz.