Yolan Goodrich, 97, went to be with the Lord on July 21, 2013, at Harmony Manor after a very brief illness.
She was born on Nov. 4, 1915, to Christian Hansen, a federal narcotics officer for the state of California, and Ivy Hansen, a registered nurse. She was an only child.
Yolan spent her early years in Fresno, Calif., and graduated from Hoover High School in Glendale, Calif. After high school, she worked as a professional model before attending business college, where she obtained her degree, and upon graduation, went to work for an aviation insurance company. Yolan married Harris Charles Goodrich on May 29, 1942. They were happily married for 43 years until his death.
Yolan worked for many years at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., and was involved in the early space programs conducted by the United States. She was selected as the Executive Secretary of the year for the state of California three times and was elected to the Republican Central Committee in the state of California numerous times. Yolan loved to sing and belonged to a group known as the "Mother Singers" who performed throughout douthern California.
Upon her move to Winnemucca, she went to work for the police department, and later the Humboldt County Juvenile Probation Department, where she eventually retired.
Yolan was very involved in many activities in Winnemucca, including the hospital board and pink ladies, library board for the state of Nevada, Business and Professional Women's Group and the Senior Center. One of Yolan's greatest pleasures was attending the Lowry Buckaroo Girls Basketball games and watching her granddaughter, Michon Schmidt, coach the team. She attended all the home games, travelled to as many away games as she could, and was loved by the entire team. Yolan, better known as "Muma" by her grandchildren and GG by her great grand children, loved nothing more than spending time with all of her family and will be deeply missed by all of them.
Yolan is survived by her daughter, Kristen, and son-in-law, Bob Tallman of Poolville, Texas, granddaughter Nicole and husband Daniel Pennell of Weatherford, Texas, granddaughter Michon and husband Jason Schmidt of Reno, Nev., and grandson Jon Echave and his wife Tara of Jordan Valley, Ore. She is also survived by great grandchildren Kaine and Bayley Baptist, JJ Echave, and twins Canyon and Cashly Pennell. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews along with special friend and "adopted" daughter, Shauna Barsanti.
Yolan was preceded in death by her parents; husband Harris, daughter Karen Echave and son-in-law Jock, and granddaughter Kristen Echave Baptist.
A celebration of life will be held at the First Baptist Church, 5th and Garrison St. on July 26, 2013, at 10 a.m. The family will be greeting friends at a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Senior Center or Harmony Manor.
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