Obituary of Nellie Inez Goodell

   Parkston – Nellie Inez Goodell, 90, went to her heavenly home Friday, October 16 at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston. Funeral service will be Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 11:00 am at Parkston Congregational Church in Parkston with visitation starting an hour prior. Committal service will be Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City, SD. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Parkston.

   Nellie Inez Goodell was born August 2, 1930 to Emery and Minnie (Blake) Hart in Independence, IA. Named for her grandmother and step-grandmother, she always went by Inez, unless her husband, Lee was teasing her. She was always proud of being a sheriff's daughter and growing up in the courthouse. She learned the art of hospitality and generosity from her mother's example, caring for neighbors, prisoners and people down on their luck. She 
graduated from Miltownvale Wesleyan College with a Bachelor's of Religion degree. While attending college, she met Lee Goodell, who she married on August 25, 1950 and spent 65 years together. Their life together was marked by their service to God, first in Sundance, WY, then Joliet, MT and finally to Harlowton, MT where they pastored for 36 years before retiring to Rapid City, SD. Inez was very active in women's clubs. She was known for a sense of humor and dramatic readings. She was a meticulous housekeeper and hospitality was an art form for her and she loved entertaining company. As an only child, family was especially important to her. Their son, Douglas was born in 1954 and daughter, Cinda was born in 1959. She would always brag about her 3 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. She spent her last few years in Parkston, SD to be near her granddaughters. She died at Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston on Friday, October 16, 2020 at the age of 90. 

   Grateful for having shared her life are son, Douglas (Debra) Goodell of Hamilton, MT, daughter, Cinda (Melvin) Christman of Parkston, SD, grandchildren, Derek (Jennifer) Goodell, Dayton (Christine) Goodell, Dawson (Marissa) Goodell, Larissa (Benjamin) Sanger, and Melodie (Craig) Kittock, and 9 great-grandchildren. 

   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lee, 2 infant brothers and an infant grandson.