Betty J. Goodwin

Betty Jean Goodwin of Ponca City, OK passed away January 8th, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. at Clarehouse Hospice Home in Tulsa, OK. She was 96, born October 9th, 1929 at Dorrance, KS. She was the daughter of the late Max Leo Duryee and the late Anna Katherine (Miller) Duryee. Betty attended High School at Dorrance, KS and graduated in 1947. She worked in the bakery for Dillon’s Food Stores in Salina, KS where she met and married George Francis Wilgus on November 14th, 1948. To this union three children were born. Betty baked pies for Landmark Coffee Shop and was well known for her beautiful pies, cookies, and breads. Later, Betty was a Receptionist and Secretary at Edwin Fair Community Mental Health Center in Ponca City. June 14th, 1986, Betty married Donald Lloyd Goodwin.

She was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Ponca City. She had been active as a past nursery worker, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. Betty was an avid baseball fan, enjoyed traveling, reading, working crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, baking, and writing letters. She enjoyed Thursdays playing dominoes with the seniors at the church and Friday nights out with her closest widow lady friends for dinner and a bit of shopping. Also, the little squirrels in her courtyard counted on her daily feedings and brought her hours of amusement.

Betty Is Survived by Two Daughters; Connie Alfano (Phil) of TX, Carla Miller of Bixby OK, one son Randy Wilgus of Florence, AZ, one granddaughter; Brianne Goodwin of Meridian, ID, two grandsons; Jeffery Thurmond (Brandon) of TX, Jason Thurmond (Amanda) of TX, three great-grandchildren; Edward Yanish of Tulsa, OK, Billie Yanish of Las Vegas, NV, and Anna Thurmond of TX

She is also survived by her sister-in-law Nancy Duryee of Dorrance, KS and many nieces and nephews

Betty was proceeded in death by her parents Max and Anna Duryee, her husband Don Goodwin, two sisters; Cora Whitmer of Dorrance, KS and Maxine Temple of Salina, KS, four brothers; Henry Duryee of Dorrance, KS, La Vern Duryee of WaKeeney, KS, Dale Duryee of Great Bend, KS, and Willis Duryee (infant) of Dorrance, KS, two granddaughters; Denise Yanish of Owasso, OK and Shannon Tuter of Cleveland, OK.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

TruHeart Hospice (918)-779-7584 https://www.truhearthospice.com/

Clarehouse - (918)-893-6150 https://www.clarehouse.org/