Ruth Louise Goodwin (Midgorden)

Ruth Louise (Midgorden) Goodwin, 91, of Independence, MO passed away Thursday, January 28, 2016. A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the E. 39th Street Congregation, Community of Christ, Independence, MO. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the church.

Ruth was born April 26, 1924 in Lamoni, IA as one of three children to Leonard J. and Mildred (Anderson) Midgorden. The family moved to Ames, IA when Ruth was 13, enabling her to attend Iowa State University, where she graduated in 1946 with a degree in Home Economics and Technical Journalism. While there she was the editor of the student newspaper, and after graduation she went to work for Herald House (publishing company) in Independence, MO. She met her beloved Alfred J. Goodwin at the university, and they courted via letter during his service overseas during WWII. They married on March 23, 1947 and lived in Ottumwa, IA until moving with the family business to Shawnee, OK in November, 1948. Their daughter Ann was born shortly after the move. When Ann was six, Ruth and A.J. fostered a 14-year old boy named Jim Sierman who became a son to them until his death in 2014.

Ruth really enjoyed people and looked for opportunities to serve the communities where she lived. While in Oklahoma she was local and district women's leader for her church, taught many classes, and wrote a set of junior high Sunday School quarterlies. She frequently played piano or organ for church services and sang in church choirs. She was also a member of the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women.

A lifelong member of the Community of Christ Church, Ruth continued her ministry when the family moved to southern California in 1965. She was a member of the Orange County Nutrition Council and wrote a column on food and nutrition for the Orange County Register. She also enjoyed eight years of volunteering at a local hospital. In her church work, Ruth served on the World Church Women's Council. She was ordained an Elder in 1986 and later a High Priest and also served as the pastor of her local congregation in California.

Ruth was an excellent cook and had the gift of hospitality, frequently hosting dinners for family and friends in addition to regularly taking birthday cakes to neighbors and hosting monthly birthday luncheons for her church women. With her degree in foods and nutrition, she also happily taught cooking classes for young women in her congregation. When she and A.J. moved in 2000 to Apple Tree Condominiums in Independence, MO, she had monthly birthday parties for her condo neighbors until she was 89 years old.

Ruth had a beautiful smile that reflected a caring and generous heart. She was truly a woman of faith and love.

She is survived by her daughter Ann Mallett (Bob) of Smithville, MO; daughter-in-law Marcia Sierman of Phoenix, AZ; grandsons David Mallett (Jennifer) of Rapid City, SD and Travis Sierman (Marie)of Burlington, KY; great grandchildren Michael and Jesse; and brother John Midgorden (Judy) of Independence, MO. She was preceded in death by her husband Alfred J. Goodwin; by their son James Sierman who was fostered in life but adopted in heart; and by her sister Helen Middleton. The family encourages contributions to Outreach International in Ruth's memory.