Eloise Ann Goodman

Eloise Ann Goodman, 87, of Wanamingo, died on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at North Ridge View in Kenyon, MN. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo with Reverend David Sorenson officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment of both Eloise and Bill Goodman will be at 2:30 p.m. at Pleasant Prairie Cemetery, Rochester MN.

Eloise Ann Koelsch was born on August 20, 1936, in Rochester, MN to Lloyd and Agatha (Brandly) Koelsch. She was in the last 8^th grade graduating class of the one room Douglas School. She graduated from Rochester Senior High School in 1954 as a member of the National Honor Society. Eloise took piano and accordion lessons, both of which became life-long passions. She graduated in 1955 from Rochester Junior College as a member of Tau Alpha Pi and began working as a Medical Surgical Secretary and transcriptionist for the Mayo Clinic and St. Mary’s Hospital. After Willis (Bill) Goodman returned from U.S. Army service in Alaska, they married on November 12, 1955 at Hauge Lutheran Church in Kenyon MN and began their family while living in rural Rochester. In 1962, they moved their young family to begin farming west of Wanamingo MN until 1973 when they moved into Wanamingo. Eloise was very busy raising their five children, but still found time to enjoy sewing, doing needlework, baking, playing piano and accordion, cooking, reading, gardening and served as an active member of her Project Group and Home Extension. In 1981, Eloise learned that Pat and Bernie’s Café was in need of a baker. With the last of her children in school, she began baking for the Wanamingo area and beyond.   In 1982, Eloise was Baptized and became an active member  of Trinity Lutheran Church of Wanamingo.  She was active with Circle, Bible studies, WELCA, reading at services, and narrating for the Choral Group.   In 1987 Eloise became known as “The Pie Lady” thanks to a feature article in the Rochester Post Bulletin. Eloise hung up her professional oven mitts in the late 90’s. However, her family and friends continued to be the lucky recipients of baked goods for many years. Her grandchildren fondly remember helping and enjoying Grandma’s homemade breads, buns, chocolate chip cookies, bars, desserts, cream puffs and, of course, her pies.

Eloise is survived by her five children, Ruth Travis of Chaska, Rita (Dean) Kyllo of Kenyon, Bob (Annette) Goodman of Rochester, Linda (Pam Mueller) Goodman of Tucson, Laura Stubbe of Bemidji; twelve grandchildren, Sarah (Simon McCarthy) Travis, Abby Travis, Robert Kyllo, Grant Goodman, D’Angello (Lizzy) Williams, Brooklyn (Brandon) Peterson, August Williams, Patrek Williams, Julius Williams, Donald Dewey, Amber (Chris) Nelson, Jason Stubbe; and five great-grandchildren, Willow Dewey, Domanic Shuck, Evelyn Williams, Maverick Williams, and Isabelle Peterson.  Eloise is also survived by her brother, Allen (Dorothy) Koelsch of Arizona; her brother-in-law, Maurice “Brownie” (Roberta “Bobbie”) Goodman of Wanamingo; sister-in-law, Mary Goodman of Zumbrota; and many cherished nieces and nephews.  Eloise was preceded in death by her husband, Bill (June 23, 2023); her parents; sisters-in-law, Margaret “Peg” Kyllo and Barbara Goodman; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Goodman and Walton Kyllo; and sons-in-law, Bill Travis and Jerry Stubbe.

Memorials are preferred to North Ridge View, 101 North Ridge Drive, Kenyon, MN, 55946 or Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 2^nd Ave, Wanamingo, MN, 55983.