Wanda Zereta Goode

Wanda Zereta Boston Goode was born to Paul Wesley and Iola Loeen (Jensen) Boston on April 23, 1926 in Mancos Colorado. Shortly after she was born her father deserted the family and she would not meet him until she was 8 years old. When she was 4 years old her mother married Howard Starr, discoverer of the Red Arrow gold mine above Mancos. She spent her childhood years having fun with her aunt Mona Douglas, who was only a year older than her, having cookouts in her grandfather's pasture featuring worms and scrambled eggs, hoping to be allowed in tree houses built by older boys, and driving a model T when she was in 6th grade. At 16 years of age, she left Mancos with her friend Betty Goode of Dolores, and moved to San Diego where she worked for Rohr Aircraft and became "Wanda the Riveter." She had previously dated Betty's brother Roy before he left to be a jockey in Mexico City. They reunited, became engaged, and were married in Tijuana Mexico on May 27, 1943. They enjoyed their life together despite moving more than 200 times, and were married for 63 years before Roy's passing in 2006. Even as an adult, Wanda loved to have fun. She played countless games with her children, and grandchildren, traveled to Israel, Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Europe and Hawaii. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies in her later years. She especially loved Mancos Days; it was an opportunity to display her creativity through costumes and floats, receiving Grand Champion and Grand Prize. In 2012 she was honored to be chosen Mancos Days Queen. Coming from generations of quilt makers, she made hundreds of quilts, all styles and sizes, for family, friends, as a business, and for humanitarian efforts. She got an idea to make wall hangings out of the ribbons two of her granddaughters had won in Hunter Jumper competitions, and then took custom orders for other people. Wanda was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many callings; teaching seminary to high school students, and drama and dance director were her favorite. These callings allowed her to express her love of teaching the gospel, talent for writing plays, creating costumes and choreography. She wrote many road shows, plays, readers' theatres and a monologue. During the last years of her life she lived at Vista Mesa in Cortez and Mancos Valley Inn where she continued to enjoy crafts and activities. Wanda is survived by children, Jeanne Smith and husband, Jack of Mancos, Darell Goode and Danny Goode of Mancos, and Cindy Eckhardt and husband, Troy of San Antonio Tex.; 14 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren; three brothers, Frank Boston of Mancos, Charles Starr of Salt Lake City, Utah and Parley Starr of Ringwood Okla. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy William Goode; her parents, Paul Boston, Iola Johnson; her step-father, Howard Starr, and her grandson, Darin Bradshaw. Wanda passed away quietly on November 28, 2016. Funeral services were held December 3, 2016 with interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Mancos.