Virginia Ruth Godin, age 89, of Escanaba, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, November 7, 2017 at North Woods Place in Escanaba. She was born on July 29, 1928 in Fort Wayne, IN, the daughter of Henry and Caroline (Rapp) Becker. She was raised in Fort Wayne where she also graduated from high school. After graduating, she attended Columbia University in Indiana. Virginia married Gaylord Howerton in 1955. The couple lived in Fort Wayne, IN, Fargo, ND, Nashville, TN, and Lansing, MI where she taught swim lessons at the YWCA. Eventually, they settled in Escanaba in 1965. She became a very active volunteer with Jefferson Elementary School, serving as PTO President for several years. Virginia was a homemaker and a temporary secretary for the Bethany Lutheran Church where she was active in many groups throughout her younger years. Gaylord preceded her in death in 1974. Virginia loved to travel. During her travels she met Raymond Godin and they were married in 1981. The two then resided in Saskatchewan, Canada for 32 years. She enjoyed being a farmer’s wife, going to auctions, sewing, and crafting. She especially loved traveling back to Michigan in the summer to spend time with family and friends at the cottage on Corner Lake.

Virginia R. Godin is survived by son, Tom (Wendy) Howerton of Escanaba; grandchildren, Stephanie (Josh) Maulding of Gladstone, and Shannon (Kyle) Smith of Appleton, WI; and great-grandchildren, Jason Maulding and Tomilynn Maulding of Gladstone.

In addition to her parents and first husband, Virginia was preceded in death by her second husband, Raymond Godin in 2012.

Private family funeral services are being held at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba with Rev. Erik Heskin officiating. Burial will take place in Gardens of Rest Cemetery. 

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