Alyce Lorraine Goodwin Eastman, 91
Alyce Lorraine Goodwin Eastman passed away Dec. 13 in Cheney, Washington.
Alyce was born Nov. 24, 1929 to Jesse and Sarah (Ferwerda) Goodwin. She was followed by brother Jay, sister Grace and brother Ward. The Goodwins resided in Lakeside. She met the love of her life while working at Norm’s News in Kalispell. On March 27, 1947 she married Fred Eastman in Polson and, after two years living at Fort Peck they moved to Somers, their home for 70 years. She was a member of Eidsvold Lutheran Church and served as leader of 4-H and Girl Scout organizations.
Mom was a homemaker, a simple title for an unbelievable career role and required skill set. She was a general contractor and talented handy person; a clothing designer and accomplished seamstress whose fashions included everything from doll clothes to wedding dresses; an intrepid recycler who had always saved just what was needed for a school project; a chauffeur, event planner, super cheerleader and master scheduler for five busy kids and countless neighborhood children; an astute financial manager who always seemed to find the resources to give opportunities to her children; a wonderful cook and baker; a teacher of all of life outside the classroom; a neighbor who spanned generations and tied our little community together; a mediator, negotiator, disciplinarian, counselor and confidant; a special caregiver to a number of children and a grandmother who quietly built individual relationships with each of her ten grandchildren, sharing her talents, inspiration, admiration and unconditional support with each. In her last years she earned the title “GG” to eight precious great-grandchildren—most would say her favorite life role. Throughout her life she found peace and joy holding and rocking little ones.
Alyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband Fred; son Michael;and brother Jay.
She is survived by her sister, Grace Egan (Dave) Erickson; and brother Ward Goodwin; children, Nancy (Terry) Brosten, Rick (Mary) Eastman, Kathy (Mark) Hinrichs, Marci (Steve) Whitham and James (Nancy Jo) Eastman; grandchildren Jennifer (Todd) Johnson, James (Jamie) Eastman, Maggie Eastman, Fred (Megan) Eastman, Jo Alyce (Chris) Millican, Andrew Hinrichs, Matt (Zhou Yayun) Whitham, Megan Hinrichs, Dylan Hinrichs, Stephanie Whitham; and her great-grandchildren Marlee and Taytum Johnson, Malachai Eastman, Brodie and Kyler Millican, Mia Ponte, and Freddie and Brian Eastman.
Internment has taken place at Glacier Memorial Gardens. A celebration of life is planned for a later date. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.