Lareatha "Tootie" Goodwin

Lareatha Anne (McFarland) "Tootie" Goodwin, 77 years of age, of Rothbury, Michigan passed away on Monday, September 23, 2013 at her daughter's home in Holdrege, Nebraska. She was born on February 18, 1936 at Carp Lake, Michigan, the daughter of Gordon and Della (Ford) McFarland.

On February 7, 1955, she was united in marriage to Terrence C. Goodwin and to this union five children were born: Terrence, Gregory, Victoria, Kelly and Patrick.

She was employed as a nurse's aid for many years in Hopewell, Virginia while her husband was stationed at the Army base at Ft. Lee, Virginia. Later, she was employed for many years as a sales associate with J.C. Penny, first in Petersburg, Virginia and then transferring to Petoskey, Michigan after her husband retired from the military.

During her retirement years, she enjoyed playing marbles and Bingo and traveling to visit her children and spending winters in Arizona. She was a very caring and giving woman, donating to many worthwhile charities including the American Cancer Society, the Children's Wish Foundation and Hospice to name a few. She was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Terrence Goodwin; brother-in-law, Michael Goodwin; one sister, Audrey McFarland; and brothers: Gene McFarland, Michael Archer and Robert Lee Archer.

Survivors include her five children: Terrence C. Goodwin of Rochester, Minnesota, Gregory Goodwin and his wife, Dawn of Harbor Springs, Michigan, Victoria Sisson and her husband, Michael of Holdrege, Kelly Cox and her soulmate, Michael Close of Northford, Connecticut, and Patrick Goodwin of Petoskey, Michigan; 7 grandchildren: Andrea Norris and her husband, Justin, Brian Sisson and his wife, Katharine, Jeffrey Sisson, Angela Cox, Jamerson Cox, Charlie Fitol and his wife, LaShonda and Tod Schramm; 7 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers: Harry, Leslie and Flip; 8 sisters: Aldene, Loretta "Billie", Jane, Marietta, Robin, Christine, Nola, Penny; sisters-in-law: Betty Goodwin of Honolulu, Hawaii and Dale Goodwin of Chelsea, Michigan; brother-in-law, Timothy Goodwin and his wife, Lynn of East Jordan, Michigan; special friends: Robert Dickey and Richard and Donna Harrington; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Lareatha's family is honoring her wish for cremation and private memorial services. Inurnment will be held in Arlington National Cemetery next to her husband, Terrence.

A memorial has been established in Lareatha's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.