Arthur 'Art' B. Goodwin

Arthur "Art" Britt Goodwin, age 74, of Brainerd, passed away March 25, 2007, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd after living with cancer courageously, faithfully and humorously for almost two years.Art was born on April 11, 1932, in Rochester, Minn., to the late Alvin and Ellen (Ihrke) Goodwin. He graduated from Moose Lake High School in 1950 and the University of Minnesota in 1954 with a bachelor of science in fish and wildlife management and a bachelor of science in education in 1957. Dorace Jeanne Smith became his wife on June 25, 1954, in Brainerd. He received a master's of natural science from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, in 1963. After working for the Minnesota Conservation Department from 1954 to 1956 he began his 36-year teaching career in 1957 at Alexandria Ramsey High School in Roseville, Minn. He was principal and science teacher at Backus High School from 1958 to 1962. Arthur began teaching science in Brainerd in 1963 at Franklin Junior High and was teaching at Washington Middle School at the time of his retirement in 1994. Art was a member and past president of the Brainerd Federation of Teachers and served on the negotiations team and was the grievance representative for several years.Art was a longtime member of Park United Methodist Church. He was also a life member of Aurora Lodge No. 100 Brainerd, a past officer of Zabud Council No. 10 and of Ascalon Commandery No. 16 Knights Templar and was a member of AAD Temple Shriners. Arthur was past patron of Howard Chapter No. 305 and Alpha Chapter No. 23 Order of the Eastern Star. He was also a member of many hunting, fishing and wildlife organizations.Following his retirement he turned his hobby of chair caning, seat weaving, wicker and rattan repair into a small business.His true passions in life were hunting, fishing, family and friends.Survivors are his wife of 52 years; and four daughters, Leslie (Steve) Hobson, Brainerd, Ellen Goodwin, San Diego, Susan (Scott) Nielsen, Omaha, Neb., and Linda (Jay) Ilstrup, Harris, Minn. Art is also survived by seven grandchildren, Rachel and Zach Hobson, Adam, Grant and Ryan Nielsen, Jared Hoefs and Nikole Ilstrup; former son-in-laws, Randy Hoefs and Richard Klein; sister, Nan (Ned) Stokes, Duluth; a niece, three nephews, numerous great-nieces and nephews, many friends and hundreds of former students.