Mildred June (VanNorstran) Goad passed away peacefully in Eureka California on March 21, 2024

She was born on July 15, 1935, in Harriman Tennessee to Charity Estella (Israel) VanNorstran and Fred VanNorstran.

June grew up in Mossy Grove Tennessee with her parents and six siblings, Ira, Johnny, Dora, Lola, Jane and Lois.

On September 5, 1950 she married Berry Goad. They were able to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary in 2020 shortly before Berry passed away.

In 1965 June, her husband Berry, and their five children moved cross country from Tennessee to Blue Lake, where she lived until her passing.

June had several careers throughout her life, but the job she enjoyed most was working for Harper’s Bazaar. She was a very fashionable woman and loved being the first to unpack and see the latest style in clothing.

In 1979 her husband Berry became the ranch foreman for Vic Guynup. She embraced her role as a rancher’s wife, and her delicious southern home cooking fed many ranch hands, family, church members and even a few orphaned puppies until they retired in 2001.

Throughout her life June always turned to God. She found comfort, joy and healing in worship and the church community. She secretly delighted in being able to play the piano for its members at several local congregations. She cherished the gift that her father had taught her and passed it along to a few of her family members.

Many friends and family have fond memories of June. Or Mamaw as she was known to her grandkids. From making biscuits and gravy to picking blackberries or raspberries for freezer jam. Her love of fast, fancy cars and the wonderful, crocheted blankets she gifted that always felt like one of her warm hugs. Family gatherings at her home were always memorable and filled with food, fun and laughter but most importantly, love.

June is survived by her children, Deborah (Ed) Rasmussen, Veronica (Zak) Peltier, Rick (Rita) Goad. Her grandchildren, Bridget (Nathan) Steeves, Justin Goad, Jessica Swanlund, Josh (Lucy) Rasmussen, Chad (Megan) Swanlund, Charity (Shay) Hetz, Laquessa Goad and Chanda Goad. She has 12 great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

June was preceded in death by her mother Estella VanNorstran, her father Fred VanNorstran, siblings Ira VanNorstran, Johnny VanNorstran, Dora Adams, Lola Vincent, Jane Davis and Lois Solock, her husband Berry Goad, and her sons, Fredrick Goad and Michael Goad.

A celebration of life for both June and Berry will be held at a later date.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, to please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of June.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Mildred Goad’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.