Delena Mae Cron Goodwin (1920-2000)

Longtime Talkeetna, Alaska, resident Delena Mae Goodwin, 79, died peacefully January 25, 2000, at her home with her oldest son and daughter present. A funeral will be at 1:00PM Monday at Montana Creek Baptist Church, Mile 98 Parks Hwy in Willow.  Interment at Kashwitna Cemetery will follow the service.  The Rev. Gerry Etherton will officiate.

Mrs. Goodwin was born July 1, 1920, in Baxter, Missouri to Samuel H. and Clara Maude (Jackson) Cron.  She married Albert L. Goodwin November 1, 1935, in Blue Eye, Missouri.  She traveled over most of the United States west of the Mississippi River, always returning to Missouri, until moving  from Portland, Oregon to Alaska in 1967 with her husband and seven of their twelve children.  They settled in Talkeetna.  She was a founding member of Montana Creek Baptist Church.  She was active in the Senior Citizens, Talkeetna Historical Society, the Homemakers Club and VFW. According to her family, “She was known for her humor, sewing and love for friends and family.  She was committed to her community and served it in many ways.  She made her family’s lives beautiful wherever they were and in whatever circumstances they were in.  She was like a wild rose, she bloomed wherever she was planted.”

Mrs. Goodwin is survived by her sons, Gene of Palmer, Alaska, Wayne of Weiser, Idaho, Larry of Portland, Oregon, Jack of Willow, Alaska, Mark of Talkeetna, Alaska; and William of McGrath, Alaska; her daughters, Ruth Youngblood of Reeds Spring, Missouri, Judy Oliver of Jerome, Idaho, Juanita Tedrick of Columbia Falls, Montana, and De’Lena Johnson of Palmer, Alaska;  by 36 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.  She is also survived by four brothers, Sammy of Pomeroy, Washington, Harrison of Moses Lake, Washington, Arvern of Raytown, Missouri and Delmar of Lampe, Missouri.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Chloe, her husband, Albert, and sons Delwin and Samuel.