Myrl HIstory

HISTORY OF MYRL GOODWIN GUDMUNDSEN

Born June 6, 1896

Died January 26, 1990

Written By Richard Austin Gudmundsen

Picture was taken at her 90th birthday party at her home in Lehi Utah. 1986

On June 22, 1632, the ship “Lyon” sailed from London, bound for Boston (just 12 years after the “Mayflower” had landed). Among the passengers was the family of William Goodwin and his brother Ozias Goodwin from Braintree, England. They were part of the group under the leadership of Pastor Thomas Hooker. William was instrumental in purchasing land from the Indians for a new city to be called Hartford (now in Connecticut). William had no sons, but his brother Ozias sired Nathaniel who was born in Hartford in about 1660.

Nathaniel’s son was Isaac: born in 1695

Isaac’s son was Isaac: born in 1733

Isaac’s son was Isaac: born in 1766

Isaac’s son was Isaac: born in 1810

Isaac Goodwin, who was born in 1810, was converted to the Gospel and emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley. He traveled with the Sam Brannon company of saints. Goodwin sailed from New York to what is now San Francisco in 1846. Isaac’s wife was killed in an accident aboard the ship and was buried on Juan Fernando Island off the coast of Chile. Isaac’s son was Edwin Abijah Goodwin, born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1839. Edwin’s son was Samuel Isaac Goodwin born in Lehi, Utah in 1869.

Andrew Rasmus Anderson was born in Vedum, Denmark in 1844. His daughter, Olena Johanna Anderson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1872. In 1891, Olena Johanna Anderson married Samuel Isaac Goodwin for time and all eternity. Their children were:

Harold Isaac

Wanda

Myrl

Thelma

Arema

Stanley Edwin

Arleen

Ralph Andrew

LaPriel

Myrl, the third child was born in Lehi, Utah on June 6, 1896. Samuel Goodwin was a devoted and loving father and husband. He could be firm when needed, but was always just. he was a Bishop for over 30 years, and a Patriarch in the Inglewood Stake for 10 years or more. Myrl was well trained in the Gospel and served an LDS mission to the Southern States Mission from 1920 to 1921. President Callis was her Mission President. He later became an Apostle. Myrl was one of two Sister Missionaries in the mission, along with about twenty Elders. She remarked many times how much she enjoyed her mission. At that time there were no prepared lessons to give. You just went up to the door and told the persons inside who you were and why you were there. Sometimes you could leave them a tract. Most times people were not interested, but remained civil. Once in a while, they were angry and offensive. Her mission served her well in her later years for she knew how to talk and deal with people.

On September 14, 1921, Myrl was sealed and married to Austin Gudmundsen in the Salt Lake Temple. Their’s was a double ceremony with her sister Wanda who was being sealed and married to Claude Curtis. Austin Gudmundsen was a Mechanical Engineer of exceptional ability. His first job was with the Salt Lake City “Smoke Abatement” department. At that time all the furnaces were coal-fired. It made the air in the Salt Lake Valley very smoky and full of soot. Later Austin joined the faculty at the University of Utah in the Mechanical Engineering Department. At that time Myrl gave birth to her first child, Richard Austin, on December 27, 1922. On March 28, 1926, Lois was born. She was a beautiful little girl and her mother adored her. In February of 1929, Lois contracted meningitis after falling off a bed while playing. With no modern drugs to deal with the problem, Lois died a few days later on February 14. The loss of Lois was a blow which Myrl never really recovered from. It affected her ability to sleep and caused her great pain.

Austin’s reputation was a combustion expert grew and reached the attention of the A.O. Smith Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They persuaded Austin to join them. He agreed, with the proviso that he be allowed to spend a year at the Carnegie Institute of Technology prior to his reporting for work. They agreed.

Myrl was quite excited to go to Pittsburgh, and it took her mind off of the pain of losing Lois. On the first Sunday in Pittsburgh, as they walked up to the new chapel, which was to be dedicated that day, a man pulled Austin off to the side and said, “I’ve been waiting for you. Your are to be the new Branch President.” Austin was stunned as he recognized Heber J. Grant, the President of the Church. Austin replied to President Grant telling him that he must be confusing him with someone else as this was the first time they had attended church here and nobody even knew them. President Grant replied, “The Lord knows who you are. If you will take this assignment I promise you that you will never be sorry, and that your work here will go well.” Austin served as Branch President until his work at A.O. Smith was completed.

Myrl became sort of a “mother” to all the missionaries in the district, and had them over for dinner countless times. She was a real helpmate in every respect. No task was too hard or too frightening for her to tackle.

In 1930, Myrl, Austin, and Richard (Dick), moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin so that Austin would be closer to his work. They rented a house in a nice suburb (Wauwatosa). The first Sunday they headed for Sunday School, the first meeting of the day. After looking for a long time they finally found the address which was the basement of a Greek Orthodox church. Going in, they could not understand any of the speakers because they were giving their talks in German! They weren’t quite sure if they were in the right place until the Sacrament was passed.

As time passed, Myrl became the Primary President, and Austin was the Branch President again. Stanley Goodwin, Myrl’s brother, obtained a job at A.O. Smiths through Austin’s efforts. He returned to Salt Lake City to marry. On the way back, he and his bride were struck by a careless driver while driving on Highway 30 in Nebraska. Stanley was killed instantly and his wife severely injured. Myrl experienced grief again.

On November 16, 1931, Myrl gave birth to a beautiful new baby boy, she named him Stanley Edwin.

In 1932, A.O. Smith Corporation suddenly decided to give up their research work and Austin found himself without a job for the first time. They moved from their big house to a downstairs two bedroom flat in Milwaukee. It was near another branch members’ house, the Harder family. (Pat Harder became a famous pro-football player.) Myrl and Martha Harder became the best of friends.

Austin had managed to form a new company with the help of Harry Stratton. The company was called Gudmundsen-Stratton Laboratories. Myrl was called on to scrimp quite a bit from her former life-style, but managed to do well and make a great home for her two children. She was a terrific cook and enjoyed putting on dinner parties for friends and relatives.

Later on in Milwaukee, Austin was set apart as Bishop of the Milwaukee Ward of the Chicago Stake. He was the first bishop to be set apart east of the Mississippi River since the exodus from Nauvoo. Myrl was really the “Mother of the Ward”. All the sisters loved her and sought her advice and council.

Ruth Gudmundsen was born on August 19, 1937. Myrl had finally gotten another daughter. (She had had several miscarriages.) Ruth was spoiled rotten (according to her two brothers) but came out okay in spite of it. Myrl loved her dearly, as she did all her children.

When World War II came, Myrl was active in many of the programs for conserving strategic materials. She also found time to work in a Victory Garden. Finally when the war was over, Austin, who by now ha been forced out of business by the lack of brass and copper necessary to produce his products, was working for McCullough Motors Corporation. The company moved from Milwaukee to Inglewood California and moved their key employees with them, finding houses and paying their moving expenses for them.

In Inglewood, Austin was active in the High Council and was set apart as Stake President. Myrl was the First Counselor in the Stake Relief Society. She put on many dinners for the visiting General Authorities of the church who came for Stake Conferences. On one occasion Myrl had spilled some ink on the carpet near the fireplace just prior to a visit from Mark E. Peterson. When he was invited inside, Myrl stood over the stain and refused to leave the spot which created an awkward moment. When Elder Peterson found out what had happened, they all got a good laugh.

Myrl was a very talented hostess. She spent hours perfecting her famous roast beef dinners, mouth watering home-made bread, rolls, and pies. President Kimball’s, favorite was her lemon flavored home-made ice-cream. On one occasion, Joseph Fielding Smith was finishing the last of his dessert which Myrl had served, in-between Stake Conferences in Inglewood. He asked, “How many cars are going back to the second session of conference?” “Two.” Austin answered. “Good! I’ll take the last car.” said President Smith, “It’ll give me time to have another piece of Myrl’s pie!”

After Austin was released from the Stake Presidency, he had a serious bout with depression. This was compounded by his retirement from McCullough. Myrl was hard pressed to help, as she had always relied on Austin for an uplift in spirits. She rallied to the problem with her typical vigor, despite her inability to understand the nature of depression. Austin finally came out of it and they decided to move to Leisure World in Laguna Niguel.

Life at Leisure World was fun for Myrl. She had her friends and lots to do as usual around the house. Austin busied himself with Lapidary work, but his real interest was fly fishing. Myrl went with him on trips for several years, despite the fact that she would rather be tying a new quilt or working on some other sewing project for one of her grandkids. She finally sent Austin out with his brother LeGrand (who lived in Payson, Utah), so that he could concentrate on his fishing and not worry about entertaining her.

Myrl was known by her grandchildren as “Our Glamorous Grandma”. She was fashionable in her dress and knew how to style her hair just so. (I can never recall ever seeing her wearing trousers or slacks.)

When Austin had a series of strokes, Myrl was called upon to shoulder all the responsibilities for their home, car, and finances. She again rose to the occasion. When Austin Died on February 28, 1981, Myrl did not want to go on living alone. She had a terrible time. Sleep became difficult. She wanted to die. Gradually, she recovered and lived for nine more years. She loved her home in Lehi (Utah). It had been the house occupied by Lettie after her husband Abraham Gudmundsen had died. It had been paid for by Austin and Myrl over the years, and Lettie gave it to “Aush” and Myrl in her will.

Myrl and her sisters were very close. She liked nothing more than to get together with the “girls”. She and Thelma visited with each other every day while she was in Lehi. The other sisters came to visit often. They were , in all candor, the type of family which our Father in Heaven wants us to have here on earth.

Myrl was always a very spiritual person with a deep testimony of the Gospel. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to stay close to the Lord. She also had a high regard for education and wanted her children and their children to strive for excellence.

Myrl was always cleaning and redecorating. After Austin had left for work, she would pull out a ladder and start painting the ceiling. She was known to tell her children to kick out a wall she had tried to get her husband to take down many times. When he returned home, he had no alternative but to complete the task.

Myrl was very fond of music. She would play the piano and Austin would sing for their own enjoyment as well as for others. She taught her children to sing in harmony at a very early age. This was a legacy which will always be valued.

Myrl was very sensitive to the pain of others. She was very loving, and was of great comfort to those who came to her for help. She was steadfast to the end. She read her scriptures, attended her meetings, and always prayed for her loved ones, the missionaries, and others.

Ruth, Stanley, and Richard, her living children will miss her sorely. She was a true mother to us. We look forward to embracing her when we meet again in the spirit world or at the Resurrection.

All her sisters, friends, and grandchildren, will miss her. We love her. We have learned much from her. We know she is now happy with her beloved husband, parents, brothers and sister, and Lois.