A visitation for Marian Opal Goodrick, 97, Lecompton, will be from 4:30-6:30 pm, Friday, January 22, 2021, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. She will lie in state from noon to 8 pm. Private family services will happen later.
She passed away at her home in Lecompton, Kansas. She was born in Lecompton on August 29, 1923 to Marion Thomas Lasswell and Evaline Browning Busch Lasswell and was a life-long resident of Lecompton except for five years in California from 1959-1963
Opal attended Lecompton Elementary school and graduated from Lecompton Rural High School in 1941. Following attending Strickler’s Business College in Topeka she was employed at Kansas Capital Federal Savings & Loan League in Topeka. A year later she began working for Kansas Electric Power Co. a forerunner of Kansas Power and Light Company in Lawrence, retiring as executive secretary for Rensler W. McClure prior to her marriage to Lewis Alonzo Goodrick on December 25, 1947.
Marian, as she was known in the Goodrick Family, and “Lewie” set up housekeeping in Lecompton and their oldest three sons (Robert Lewis, Stephen Dale, Jeffery Lynn) were born in Kansas. In 1959, the family moved to Tehachapi, CA where youngest son, (Michael Thomas “Tom”) was born. They returned to Lecompton in 1963.
She was a member of Lecompton United Methodist Church, a Life Member of the Lecompton Historical Society. She joined the Lecompton Rebeka Lodge No. 698 and held all chairs and was Noble Grand several times. She belonged to the Lecompton Sunshine Club for over 50 years and the Pamida Club in Lecompton.
Opal was a homemaker and community activist and supporter while raising four sons. She served as one of the curators for the Territorial Capital Museum for years, helping wherever needed, cataloguing, searching for grants, donating funds and artifacts. Many of the existing exhibits were designed and built by those original curators.
She helped “Lewis” in their restaurants in Lawrence: Duck’s Tavern; and later Happy Hals Steakhouse for 18 years.
Her hobbies were sewing and writing poems. One of her poems commemorating Lecompton’s “Constitution Hall” was read before the Kansas House and Means Committee on March 3, 1985 and was instrumental in the Legislative decision to add Constitution Hall to the State Historic Properties list. She also wrote a poem for the Lecompton United Methodist Church’s Anniversary celebration.
Her husband, Lewis, died December 20, 1999. Her parents; stepdaughter, Dorothy (Dottie) Olson; three sisters: Edna G. Bahnmaier, Elsie May Emken, Mary Nelle Lasswell; and great granddaughter, Leah Linhardt preceded her.
She is survived by sons: Robert L. (Marian) Goodrick, Olathe, Ks; Stephen D. (Norma) Goodrick Sr., Round Rock, TX; Jeffrey L. (Doree) Goodrick, Lecompton, KS; Michael “Tom” Goodrick, Lecompton, KS.; 19 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Trecia Goodrick, Lawrence, Ks and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorials to Lecompton Historical Society, Box 68, Lecompton, KS 66050; Lecompton United Methodist Church, Box 91, Lecompton, 66050 or St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.
Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com
Tom, I am so sorry to learn of your loss. My deepest condolences to the Goodrick family. May God give you peace and strength during this time.
Tom and Tricia, when I think about the times I was near her, she was always smiling.
So sorry boys. Moms are very special. She was a good one.
My sincere and deepest condolences to the Goodrick Family. Sending prayers ? Andy and Maureen Minshew (Parents of Mrs. Andrew Goodrick (Delaney) of Florida.
We send our love and condolences to the family!
Keith and Carol Noe
So sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. We know it’s a difficult time and we’re thinking about you and praying for you and your family.
To the Opal Goodrick Family,
I remember Opal when I was a kid growing up in Lecompton. Known the family off and on through the years.
I moved away 1967 for navy wife life, then to Lawrence, and in 2000 to Texas for 16 years. Husband passed away in 2016. I needed to come home, back to my small town roots. I needed a place to rent and I visited with Opal the day I got in from Texas, March 7, 2017. It was a long journey to get back and Opal welcomed me by letting me have a key and rent on Whitfield, taking me and my dog and cat in. It was a joy to visit with her when I would take my rent check each month. She was a good support for a year until I got my own place setup. With Tom’s help on the garage.
I will miss the Whitfield house and the great visits.
Opal was a grand lady and very stock market wise. I remember listening to her one evening, at the once a month church meal. Visiting with someone hanging on her every word about the stock market. It was fun to listen to and watch.
Let sweet memories fill your hearts <3. Wipe away your tears and know she is watching over you from heaven.
Awesome lady <3
Sincerely,
Deanna Gowing Posik
Steve – Sounds like your mother lived a very active life and will be missed by many. Condolences to you and your family; happiness for your mother as she is with God and your father now.
Sincerely,
Carol Hertlein Debacker
Tom and Trecia we are so sorry. Opal was such a sweet lady. She is having a good time now dancing in Heaven with Leah. We will be thinking of you all and keeping you in our prayers. Love you all. ❤️
I didn’t know opel very well i know tom from work.
i would like to send my condolences to the family for the loss.
it will be a tough time for all but after time it will get somewhat
easier. but thoughts of your mother will never be to far away.
Steve, Norma, and family. Sorry to read of the passing of your mother. Blessings for all of you. Kay Rytting
Tom and Trecia sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet lady. You were lucky to have her as a mom. Always in your heart and memories.
Prayers to all of you at this difficult time. I knew her all my life and she was such a wonderful lady. Love and hugs to you all. Bob and Lori Gruver