Kenneth Wesley Goodwin

Kenneth W. Goodwin was born on March 11, 1934, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise, Idaho, to Frank E. and Aralene H. (Schnell) Goodwin of Sweet, Idaho and passed away January 15, 2022, in Meridian, Idaho.  Frank and his brother, Howard, operated Goodwin Farms and Ranching in the Sweet Valley which started as a sheep ranch, but later converted to cattle.  Aralene, was an elementary teacher in the Sweet School.  Kenneth spent the next 18 years growing up in the valley.  He attended the Sweet Grade School for 8 years and continued to high school in Emmett, Idaho. Kenneth graduated from Emmett High School in 1952. 

  In September of 1952, Kenneth entered the University of Idaho where he studied Agriculture.  Kenneth would go on to receive a Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture in the spring of 1957.  It was during his time at the University of Idaho that he would become acquainted with Noreta Smith, who would eventually take him up on his offer for a coke date and they would become sweethearts.  He was also an active member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.   Ken and Noreta married on May 31, 1959, following Noreta’s graduation from the University of Idaho.   Following Noreta’s graduation and their wedding, Kenneth was drafted into the US Army on April 14, 1958.  Kenneth was stationed at Fort Story, Virginia, where they would remain until Kenneth was honorably discharged from the Army.

  After his discharge from the Army, Kenneth and Noreta returned to Boise, Idaho.  Kenneth was employed by the Idaho Department of Health as a Hospital and Nursing Home Inspector.  Noreta was employed as an English teacher at Boise South Junior High School.  In 1963, Goodwin Farms requested Kenneth and Noreta join the family farming and ranching operation in Sweet.  Kenneth became a very active and engaged member in the Sweet Montour and Emmett communities.  He accomplished many things during his time in Sweet, to include serving on the Squaw Creek SCS Board of Directors.  He was also appointed as the Water Master for the Squaw Creek District, and he served as a Director of the Sage Hen Water Users Association for several years. On May 21, 1966, Ken was elected to the Gem County School Board for 9 years.  During this time, he was instrumental in adding a lunchroom to the Emmett High School. He was also instrumental in replacing the Sweet and Montour Grade schools with a new Elementary School for grades 1 through 8, serving both the Sweet and Montour communities.  He had been a lifetime member of the Sweet Methodist Church.

  Kenneth and Noreta spent 18 years in the family ranching and farming business, after which they decided they would sell their interest in the family business and move to Emmett.  Kenneth returned to the Southwest District Health Department and Noreta continued teaching.  Upon retirement, Ken and Noreta took the opportunity to travel with their friends, visiting many favorite places. These travels took them to New Mexico, Mexico, California, Canada, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon, North and South Dakota, and all the National Parks. They also visited England and France.  Kenneth was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing wherever he traveled.

  Kenneth is survived by his daughter Lori and son-in-law Thomas, his son Dale, his granddaughter Tasha and 3 great-grandchildren, Grayson, Eloise and Phoenix.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Noreta, his parents Frank and Aralene Goodwin, his sister Carolyn Bancroft, and several aunts and uncles.  Kenneth and Noreta shared 61 years together.

  The family requests that all donations be made to the Sweet Montour Syringa Club building fund in place of flowers.    

  The family would like to recognize the Care team at St. Luke’s Meridian who were kind and gracious in care and support for Kenneth. 

  A Memorial Service will be held for Kenneth at 1:00PM on Friday, March 4, 2022, at the Potter Funeral Chapel of Emmett, Idaho.

  The link to the live stream will be activated prior to the service. 

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