Jeanette Godding

Middleton WI- Jeanette Godding (Haugstad) age 93, passed away Sunday November 19,2017 at her home in Middleton, WI. Jeanette was born on May 27, 1924 in rural Dane County. As a youngster she attended one room schools in the Stoughton and Cambridge area and the West Koshkonong Lutheran Church.

Her first language was Norwegian and she was always proud of her Norwegian heritage. She was musically gifted and played guitar and accordion in talent contests in central Wi in the 1930s. She came to Madison when she was 16 and attended Madison West and East high schools. At 18 she became a partner in a dental lab. Later, she worked for an orthodontist, an interior decorator, and a dentist. She also ran a home-based upholstery business while raising her children. On June 7, 1947 she married her best friend and life's partner William G. Godding. She encouraged him to attend the University of WI and pursue a career as an elementary art teacher. In 1960 they adopted their daughters Sandra and Carol. Jeanette was an exceptional mother. After their retirement, Bill and Jeanette traveled extensively and exhibited his photographic art work in a series of juried art shows. They were active members of the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople. In addition to working with her husband, she excelled at fundraising for this organization. Jeanette had a wide variety of interests. Truly a "political junkie", She loved to watch MSNBC, particularly Rachel Maddow. She was devoted to the Thom Hartman Show, and listened to his podcasts religiously. She was also an avid listener and supporter of NPR and WPR. She enjoyed music of all genres, from classical, to jazz, folk, and country. She continued to play guitar, accordion, piano and button key accordion as long as she was able. She enjoyed listening to books on tape, particularly the poems of Mary Oliver and novels of John Grisham. Mamag, as she affectionately became known, loved crafting. She made beautiful greeting cards and crocheted baskets. She enjoyed sewing, camping, and hiking. She was truly loved by many and lived a caring, compassionate, and intelligent life. She was a great listener and conversationalist with a droll Norwegian sense of humor.

Jeanette is survived by her daughters, Sandra Pomponio (Middleton) and Carol Harrington (Madison); her grandchildren, Christina Herrera (Jamie) of San Jose CA, and Abraham Harrington (Madison); her great-grandchildren Mila and Elan Herrera of San Jose C; her beloved nieces and nephews; her many good friends; her grandpups; and her grandbirds. Her furry friends Pika, Woody, and Zoe were especially beloved and gave her great joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thor and Amanda Haugstad (Odland), her husband William G Godding, and her maternal uncles, Jacob, Ole and Theodore Odlund.

A Memorial Service will be held on December 8,2017 at the First Unitarian Society in Madison, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison at 4:30 PM. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Agrace HospiceCare Inc., First Unitarian Society, or the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople. (WAAC).

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the truly amazing staff of Agrace HospiceCare, Inc. We would also like to express our appreciation to Dr. Kenneth Felz and the caring staff of Unity Point Meriter - MIddleton Clinic.

~In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson~

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Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434