Elsa Ellen Goodell

On October 19, 1928, Elsa Ellen Garrett was born at home, which was a converted boxcar, at a logging camp near Tellico Plains, TN. Logging families were able to move between locations as needed using train tracks. Elsa spent her early years raised with her younger sisters among extended family near Owl Creek near Murphy, NC. Around 1938, the family moved westward to CA to find work and eventually to Culp Creek, OR. She married Harold Goodell in 1946, who was serving in the Army. They eventually moved to Cottage Grove, OR where their son Duane Ralph was born, and then to Springfield where daughter Pamela Sue was born. After a time living in Dinuba, CA, the Goodells moved back to Creswell OR and lived in their home there for 50 years. When the children were young, Elsa was a homemaker, cooking, sewing, gardening, and canning produce. She taught Bible classes and sang in the church choir and in the family’s gospel quartet. When the children were old enough, Elsa worked alongside Harold in the meat department he managed for Shop Rite Market in Creswell. After retiring, Elsa and Harold enjoyed traveling. They were active in the Sojourners camping club. They also traveled overseas and became more active in ministry with their church, Eugene First Baptist, and the Gideons. For several years Elsa served alongside Harold in his work as a chaplain to nursing homes. After Harold’s death in June 2009, Elsa lived out her final years among new friends at Sheldon Oaks Retirement Home. She cherished a scripture in which Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.” Her mansion was finished, and she moved in on October 8, 2021. Left to treasure her memory are son Duane (Terry) Goodell of Creswell, OR; daughter Pam (Jim) Hardenbrook of Weiser, ID; grandchildren Yolanda (Jared) Olsen of Pleasant Hill, OR; Jamie (Tim) Hatfield of Roanoke, VA; Joe (Anna) Hardenbrook of Fairbanks, AK; Jay (Jessica) Hardenbrook of Saint Louis, MO; and 10 great-grandchildren.