Esther Mae Arndt Godfrey, 101 years old, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Allegan Medical Care Community.
She was born to Jacob and Katie Goodman Arndt on Nov. 22, 1922, and was raised on a farm in Monterey Center. Esther was baptized and confirmed at the Lutheran Church in Hopkins and attended Monterey one room school until she completed eighth grade. She left home at age 14 to work in Allegan as a nanny and housekeeper and later at Allegan’s Armintrout Grocery Store.
Esther lived with the Armintrout family until she met the love of her life, Howard “Hod” Godfrey. They were married on March 16, 1940, at the Green Family farm in Monterey Township. Her husband had purchased a farm owned by his grandfather, William Godfrey, in 1939. They added two parcels to this farm to total 120 acres. They worked this farm together until the passing of Hod in 1983.
They raised chickens, hogs and milking cows. They raised three sons, Terry, Tom and Jack. They rented four nearby farms which totaled about 400 acres. Esther did custom baling, Hod did custom chopping and corn picking. They milked 19+ cows every day. Hod died Feb. 13, 1983. Esther continued to milk cows until she retired at age 60.
The farm is now owned by Jack and Maureen Godfrey, her last living son.
Esther enjoyed her retirement years by traveling. She enjoyed the outdoors by mowing her lawn, planting flowers, and shoveling snow until she was 95 years old. She loved to cook and bake for her grandchildren, including their favorite potato salad, spaghetti, chocolate pie, cookies, and cake. attended She numerous sporting events and every one of her grandchildren’s weddings except one.
Relatives that proceeded her in death were her great great grandparents, Friedrich Miller (1816-1890) and Elizabeth Schilsley (1814-1900); great grandparents, Jacob Fleser (1837-1915) & Christine Miller Fleser (1838-1924), Christian Arndt and Fredericka Brodestorf Arndt; grandparents, Joe Goodman (1866-1906) & Lucy Fleser Goodman (1873-1924), Charley Arndt (1860-1947) and Amanda Arndt (1866-1954); parents Jacob Arndt (1892-1973) and Katie Goodman Arndt (1898-1988); siblings and spouses, Elinor Arndt Keber and Otto Kerber, Lucille Arndt Ellinger and Paul Ellinger, Harvey Arndt, and Wanda Buck Arndt; her loving husband, Howard “Hod” Frederick Godfrey. (1917-1983); sons, Terry Leon Godfrey (1941-1973) and Tom Howard Godfrey (1943-1989).
She is survived by grandchildren, Tiffany Godfrey Paavola, Marc Godfrey, Monica Godfrey Lehrer, Jessica Godfrey Habicht, Benjamin Godfrey, Jared Godfrey, Emma Godfrey Kujacznski; great grandchildren, Alli Paavola, Dylan Paavola, Austin Habicht, Maddie Lehrer, Jackson Lehrer, Gavin Habicht, Jaren Habicht, Logan Godfrey, Karina Godfrey, Mae Godfrey, Rhett Godfrey, Ainsley Kujacznski, Lucas Kujacznski, and unborn Godfrey twins; her son and his spouse, Jack and Maureen Godfrey, special friend Lorraine Steines.
Esther has been cremated. The family will receive family and friends at the Silo Conference Center (Grill House) 1071 32nd St., Allegan, Saturday Feb, 10, from 10 to 11 a.m. with a celebration of life service beginning at 11 with Pastor James Goldschmeding officiating. A luncheon will be served after the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Esther’s memory to the Allegan County Medical Care Community, 3265 122nd Avenue, Allegan, MI 49010
