Shirley Jesperson Goodman's Obituary
Shirley Jesperson Goodman passed away January 11, 2018, after a short illness, at the Life Care Center in Bountiful, Utah. She was 93 years old. She was surrounded by her family in life and in death.
Shirley was born in Tucson, Arizona on October 2, 1924 to Edward C. and Ida (Martineau) Jesperson. The family soon moved to the “Old Ranch” in Benson, Arizona, but eventually returned to Tucson (Binghampton) after eight years. She graduated from Tucson High School.
As a young woman, Shirley sang solos in church, wedding receptions, and other social gatherings. She sang in a trio with Geraldine and Florence Echols, her future sister-in-laws. When World War II broke out, she helped the war effort by attending military dances on Davis Monthan Air Force Base. She learned the jitterbug and danced to “Big Band Tunes” with the soldiers. Later she moved to San Diego where she worked as a riveter for Consolidated Aircraft on the B-24 Liberator.
She married Len A. Goodman on April 19, 1947 in Tucson, Arizona. They were later sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple on October 20, 1947. She lovingly accepted Len’s two young boys as her own. Together, Len and Shirley had five more children. She is survived by her children Quentin P. (Kathleen) Goodman, Ronald H. (Carolyn) Goodman, Linda (Bill) King, Shirley Ann (Gary) Aston, Laura (Dennis) Weidauer, Lennea (Andrew) Gasser, and Keith A. Goodman. She has forty-two grandchildren, ninety-seven great grandchildren and twenty-one great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by three of her siblings; Elmer V. Jesperson, Ruth Huish and Keith E. (Leah) Jesperson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Len, three grandchildren, Julianna Mock, Matthew Gary Aston, David Michael Goodman, and two great grandchildren, Nathaniel Mason Hunsaker and Aaron Andrew Whittacre. Her parents, as well as several siblings preceded her in death; Ina Hobson, Elma Jones, Edward C.“Teddy” Jesperson, H. Neil Jesperson and Jo Anne Harrison. She is having a glorious reunion with them all.
Shirley was a homemaker throughout her life. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. She had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and instilled a love for the Savior in her children. She gave many years of service in Primary, and especially loved teaching Primary songs to the children. She blessed the lives of many while serving as Relief Society President and loved serving the elderly. She participated in several church sponsored musicals while living in the Wilshire Ward in Los Angeles, California. But mostly, she sang with her family, teaching them the heritage songs she grew up with. She learned to play piano as a young girl and played as they sang.
She was known for her good nature, sense of humor, and fun-loving spirit. She welcomed all into her home and fixed many meals for friends and family. She gave us our love for “beans and tuffies”. She loved to read, and her mind stayed bright and active. She will be remembered for her long years of devotion to her family. She had a large and rich posterity, and was interested in each one of their lives. In the last two months of her declining health, she was visited by at least seventy-two of her posterity. Many sang with her the songs she loved and had shared with them. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
The family wishes to thank the nurses of hospice and the Life Care Center who offered such tender loving care to her in the last few days of her life.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Chesterfield Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints, 9737 Chesterfield Drive, Cedar Hills, Utah, 84062. There will be a viewing prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:45 AM. Interment will be at American Fork Cemetery, 26 West 600 North, American Fork, 84003.
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