Phyllis Goldberg
Phyllis Goldberg
Phyllis Goldberg
October 25, 1929 – August 30, 2015
Oskaloosa (Shenandoah), Iowa | Age 85
Phyllis Goldberg, 85, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Shenandoah, Iowa, died Sunday, August 30, 2015, at the Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab Center in Oskaloosa. She was born October 25, 1929, in Corning, Iowa, the daughter of Walter E. and Marie Taylor Evans.
Phyllis graduated from Corning High School with the class of 1947. In 1949, she was united in marriage to Thomas Goodner. To this union four children were born: Johnny, Marti, Jan, and Jim. Thomas died in 1966.
Phyllis worked for the Iowa Traveling Library for many years. Following the death of her husband, she went to college and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State University, graduating in 1972. Upon college graduation she moved to Audubon, Iowa and worked as the high school librarian for a few years. In 1973, she was united in marriage to Leland Goldberg. Leland died in 1982.
Following her time at Audubon High School Phyllis moved to Shenandoah, Iowa, where she was very involved in the community, and served 10 years on the city council. She also served as mayor pro-tem. Phyllis co-founded the Wabash Fine Arts Camp in Shenandoah. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, P.E.O., Garden Club, and Book Club. Phyllis gave tirelessly of her time and talents to the community. She was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad to the Iowa Library Commission, later moving up to chair that board. She enjoyed crafts, flower gardening and cooking.
Her family includes her three children and their spouses: Marti (& John) Bowker of Oskaloosa, Jan (& Larry) Jones of Olathe, Kansas, and Jim (& Amy) Goodner of Longmont, Colorado; five grandchildren: Abby (& Jonathan) Chaney, Jaimie (& Michael) Christopher, Jason Jones, Sgt. Duffy Goodner, and Logan Goodner; twin great grandsons, Jacob and Cameron Christopher; a step daughter, Sandy (& Sam) McSeveny of Nashville; and a step daughter in law, Nancy Goldberg of Omaha; two step grandchildren: Dan (& Lisa) McSeveny and Jenny (& Mike) McDonnell; and two step great grandchildren: Connor McSeveny and Sophia McDonnell.
In addition to her two husbands, Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Byron Evans; a son, Johnny Goodner; a granddaughter, Delaney Goodner; and a step son, Dick Goldberg.
As was Phyllis’ wish, her body has been cremated.
There will be a memorial service held in Shenandoah at a later date.
Burial of the urn will be in Brooks, Iowa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
