In Remembrance Of
Marilyn Goodlet
Marilyn Kay Goodlet, 72, of Faucett, Mo., went to be with the Lord on July 1, 2025. She was born July 20, 1952, to Lowell (Poodle) Laurence and Catherine Laurence and lived her childhood years in New Market, Mo. She attended North Platte High School, graduating in 1970. Marilyn attended Missouri Western State University where she earned a degree in biology.
As a high school student, she was a talented basketball player and flute player in the band. She often earned the top honors at regional and state music competitions. Her interest in science and her passion for youth led her to become an admired biology teacher at Mid-Buchanan High School, with a career spanning 31 years. During that time she greatly enjoyed leading students in science fair competitions, including earning several prestigious opportunities to compete at the International Science Fair. She enjoyed spending hours after school helping students with their projects, and many referred to her as a second mother.
She shared her love of music to play the piano and organ at New Market Christian Church for more than 30 years alongside her sister-in-law, Sheila Goodlet. She was an active and committed member of New Market Christian Church across her lifetime. Marilyn was an excellent cook and prepared big meals for farm crews when the family was raising tobacco. She loved to grow a large garden and canned many vegetables in the summer months, which she shared often with friends and family. Sheila Goodlet and the late Steve Goodlet often traveled with Marilyn and Mike to antique stores and Star Trek conventions, and she lovingly called herself a Trekkie.
Her greatest love was her husband, Michael. She finished college early so they could get married and begin their life, with a dedicated and strong marriage of 53 years. She loved her 12 grandchildren equally and enjoyed babysitting whenever she could.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Lowell and Catherine Laurence; in-laws B.H. and Bonnie Goodlet; a son-in-law, Luke McCoy; brother-in-law Steve Goodlet; and nephew, Justin Stubbs.
Marilyn is survived by husband, Michael Goodlet; son Mark and wife Katie Goodlet of Columbia, Mo., and their children Kamryn and husband Zach Peters of Kansas City, Mo.; Emma and fiancé Dawson Meierotto of Columbia, Mo., and Paige of Columbia, Mo; son Matt and wife Lynn Goodlet of Foristell, Mo., and their children Nathan, Macie, and Tessa; daughter Rachel and husband Gary Ellis of St. Joseph, Mo., and children Elliot, Noah and Ben McCoy; son Devin and Monica Goodlet of Faucett, Mo., and children Liam, Jack and Evie. She enjoyed a loving group of friends and colleagues from the Mid-Buchanan and North Platte communities.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at New Market Christian Church. Funeral service will be Wednesday, July 9, at 10:30 a.m. at New Market Christian Church, with graveside to follow at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Weston, Mo.
Online condolences may be sent to Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower, Mo., at https://hkfuneralhome.com.
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Service Details
Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Weston, MO
6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 8th at New Market Christian Church
10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 9th at New Market Christian Church
Comments & condolences
15 comments
Patti Laurence
I’m married to Michael Laurence and have been for 52 years. Marilyn was always so sweet. Cousin Mike loved his cousin. She was such a real person and was always a joy to visit while we would be in Missouri for vacations. Fly high sweet angel.
Sarah and Karl Lake
Mark & Katie & Family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers in this sad time. May God send peace and may you find comfort in your good memories and eachother.
Sonya nelson
I am very saddened for the passing of my dear friend Marilyn Goodlet. She was such a wonderful sweet person, love her smile. I am sooo sorry I couldn’t attend her funeral service cause I am out of town. My deepest sympathies to especially Devin and families. My prayers goes to Mike and family.
Chrissy Fike
Such a wonderful woman. I am so sorry.
Lori Blankenship
We were so sorry to hear of Maryilyns passing. She was One of a kind! I was truly blessed to have worked with her, when she did a maternity leave at NPI. We had A Lot of good laughs & l just enjoyed visiting with her daily. She always had a Smile that was uplifting. I know she was a inspiration to a lot kids with her Love & compassion.
Lorretta Reyes
Sorry to hear of aunt Marilyn’s passing. You can reach me at 248-818-3155 anytime you want to talk.
Elaine Stremel
To the Goodlet Family
I am so so sorry for your loss. Marilyn was a wonderful wife and mother who loved her family tremendously. She kept us in stitches with her hilarious stories about the kids when they were little. If she wrote a book it would have been a best seller!
Marilyn had the best disposition for teaching. Always calm and collected.
I am so proud to have had you as a friend for so many years. You will be forever missed and always in my heart.
Fly high, I will see you in the clouds!
Elaine Baughman Stremel
Morgan Brown
Marilyn, you are loved! Your church family misses you dearly. Welcome Home. Mike and family, we love you and are praying for you!
Rachel (Goodlet) Ellis
We love seeing student stories. Please share the link and encourage others on social media to share. It means so much to us and to my dad especially. I plan to share these with him in an album in the coming weeks. I know we will all be so blessed by every story. Thank you!
Donna (Keesaman) Pinney
I am so sorry for your loss. Marilyn was a great childhood friend of mine. We celebrated many birthdays together since ours were only a day apart. I know she grew into a wonderful loving wife and mother with a passion for her students. When we did get to visit at the New Market Church her love for family, students and friends shone through. Rest in Peace Marilyn.
Jennifer Van Cooten Harp
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs Goodlet’s passing. She was an amazing teacher. I can remember her encouragement to go for things and I even remember her encouraging me to apply for various scholarships and giving advice when I was getting ready to graduate and leave for college. My heart goes out to Mike, Mark, Matt, Rachel and Devin and their families.
Julia Johnson (Livingston)
To the Goodlet – I am so so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Goodlet was one of a kind and I know how painful the loss of a loved one is. Please know that in HS I took every class she taught – as a teacher she was kind but pushed me to do my best and somehow always knew when I wasn’t giving my best. She could be stern and serious but I still remember her bright smile and what her laugh sounded like. I have become a nurse and actually am over a cardiac unit in Kansas City – my love of all science was because of her.
I hope that each of you find some peace knowing that she touched so many lives, influenced so many careers and made science interesting and fun. I hadn’t seen or spoken to her in years and today I’m sad knowing that I can’t. Thank you for sharing her with so many others.
Sandy Lieffring
not only was Mrs. Goodlett an outstanding teacher, she was an even more amazing person. I loved being in her classes and made sure I took everyone she taught. she will be missed by so many.
Anne Laurence-Spilman
I am so saddened by the passing of Marilyn. Prayers and hugs to the family. -Cousin Anne Laurence-Spilman
Tereasa Freeman
Dear Mike and family,
It saddened my heart deeply to hear of Marilyn’s passing. She was a great teacher and mentor to me. I learned so much from her and as a result, became very passionate about teaching science research to and with kids, too. She always had a smile. I recall sharing a room with her on one of our science fair adventures (I think in St. Louis.). We had a few laughs for sure. As I think of her now, I am so thankful that life here is not all there is. I am thankful that God crosses our paths for specific reasons that fall in His purpose and that He promises us another life…. one even more glorious! I may not be able to attend the services as I am watching my twin granddaughters but please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers! Marilyn touched many hearts, including mine!
Love,
Tereasa Freeman