Lois Elaine (Essler) Goddard, age 82, daughter of Edward and Dorothy (Miller) Essler was born February 5, 1941, in Flint, Michigan. She passed away peacefully on July 9, 2023, at the Houston House Nursing Home in Houston, Missouri.
Lois is preceded in death by her parents; siblings Ed Essler, Verna Drayton, Bill Essler, and Charlin Kurnat; and children Stanley Goddard, Taffy Goddard, and Keith Goddard.
She is survived by her children: Corwin “Jack” Goddard Jr. of Lansing, Michigan, Walter Goddard of Springfield, Missouri, Anita Goddard, and Lisa Miller of Springfield, Missouri; Siblings Glenda Sanford of Alanson, Michigan, and Judy (Jim) Young of Alanson, Michigan; Grandchildren: Cammie, Trista, Stas, Stephanie, Anna, Amanda, and Julia; 15 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Lois grew up in Alanson, Michigan. After a short time of living in Kansas and Oklahoma, she settled down and raised her family in Lansing, Michigan. Years later she returned to school and graduated Summa Cum Laud with an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology from Lansing Community College in 1993. Even though her life was full of trials and tribulations and in her mind, deep thoughts, Lois was a firm believer in God. She still managed to enjoy the simple things in life such as collecting just about everything, listening to music, watching John Wayne movies, planting flowers, gardening, drinking Pepsi, and snapping off quick-witted jokes.
Lois’ greatest joy came from hearing stories of what her grandkids and great-grandkids were up to. She loved them dearly and spoke of them often and looked forward to getting to spend more time with some of them with her move to Missouri in September 2020. She will be missed by all who know and love her.
There will be no memorial service. In place of donations or flowers, we ask that you spend time with those you love, share some laughs, and hug them tightly in Lois’ memory.
