"Sorry about your loss. My Dad (George R Gooch) and Frances were second cousins. When I told him about her passing he told me she was a very nice lady and all ways had a good thing to say about every one. He told me the last time he saw her was at her house in southern Iowa. I think he was on the way from my house in Texas. I was kind of strange that I found out about Frances and her passing. I was talking to my sister about family genealogy and that I did not know to much about Nicholas Gooch . He was my Great Grandpa George Gooch brother. Then less than a week I found Frances obituary. I really felt like I should send my condolence to you all and let you know that some one from the Gooch side of the family cares and is praying for you all. May God Bless you Mike Gooch "
In loving memory of
Frances Woodyard
October 4, 2011
Frances was born January 29, 1909 in Avon, Iowa and passed away October 3, 2011 at the Indianola Good Samaritan Society.
She was the first of five girls born to Clarence and Mayme (Gooch) Cage (deceased). She attended school in Fort Des Moines in her younger years. Her parents moved to the Liberty Center, Iowa area where she finished school.
She married Franklin Woodyard in 1927. Their children were Donald Dean, Billy Dane, Doris Ann Garrison and Sheryl Sue Engebretson.
Frances was a long time member of the Liberty Center Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She also wrote items from Liberty Center and Lacona for the Indianola paper for 35 years.
She liked to play the piano for the staff at Good Samaritan and loved to read. She also enjoyed writing and receiving letters.
Frank and Frances lived on the same farm for over 50 years, then moved to Lacona in 1983. Frank passed away in 1993 and she continued to live there until 2004 when she moved to the care center.
Those preceding her in death were her husband, Frank; son, Donald Dean in 2008; grandsons: Bob and Dana in 2008; daughter-in-law, Barbara in 2001; son-in-law, Wendell in 2005; and her four sisters: Louise, Gwen, Mary, and Ruthie.
Survivors are her 3 children: Bill Woodyard of Carlisle, Doris Garrison of Indianola, and Sheryl Engebretson of Monroe, WI; 7 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 22 great great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Liberty Center United Methodist Church.
Tributes
"Frances was a wonderful person that I loved and enjoyed to be around. She was witty and full of spunk until the last few months when she started to decline. She had a beautiful smile and twinkle in her eye. I will miss her very much and will always cherish my memories. It has been a great privilege for having known her. Thank you for allowing Frances to be in my life at Good Samaritan Center, Indianola. "