Mariechen Joan Goff

On November 30, 2023, Mariechen Joan Goff passed away unexpectedly surrounded by her

three children at McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah. She was finally reunited with her eternal

companion after a 35 year separation. She was born in Ogden on March 16, 1947, the oldest

child of Volney DeForges Nelson and Mary Joan Gabey. She was raised in South Ogden and

graduated from Bonneville High School in 1965 (BARF). After working at the old Hostess

Factory in downtown Ogden for several years, she accepted an invitation to live with her half-

sister LaVern and moved to the wilds of Anchorage, Alaska. There, a practical joke changed her

life.

Mariechen’s brother-in-law wrote her name and phone number on a card and posted it at the

NCO Club at the nearby Elmendorf Air Force Base. A young tech sergeant by the name of

Melvin Goff saw the card and was intrigued. He called Mariechen and after dating for three

months, they married on Flag Day (June 14th), 1969. Life in the military wasn’t what Mariechen

necessarily enjoyed, but she patiently followed Melvin from Alaska to stops at Lubbock, Texas;

Clinton, Utah; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Saxmundham, East Suffolk, England; and finally

Glendale, Arizona. During this time the couple welcomed three children into their family–two

boys and a girl.

In 1983, after 22 years of service, Melvin retired from the Air Force, and the family moved to

Mesa, Arizona. Eventually the Goffs moved to Ogden, Utah to be closer to Mariechen’s mother

and in 1985, moved back to Clinton. Mariechen wanted to put down some permanent roots, and

there she raised her family. In July 1988, after a valiant three year battle with cancer, Melvin

passed away, and Mariechen then faithfully raised her family.

Mariechen never wanted to be a burden on anyone, and while she was fiercely independent,

she still helped those in need. She was a friend to many, but she shunned the spotlight. She

was frugal and innovative when it came to living within a budget. She made sure that her

children were never without the necessities of life. She always instilled in her children a sense of

self-worth and sought to bless their lives with the teachings of and service in the restored gospel

of Jesus Christ.

Mariechen loved reading, especially thrillers, and instilled a love of reading in her children. She

could read anything, and once she started a series, she dutifully read the entire thing,

regardless if she liked it or not. For years, she patronized used bookstores. She was a staple of

her local library, and she especially enjoyed the friendship of the staff of the Syracuse Branch.

Mariechen had many talents. She was an excellent cook, artist (she loved drawing), and created

masterpieces with cross stitch. Many of these creations were displayed in her home, and she

also gave away many pictures and crafted bibs to friends and family. Although she was

diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a young age, she soon developed other talents and spent

much of her spare time with her family. She lived for her children and grandchildren, and they in

return were so thankful to have her in their lives for so long.

Mariechen also loved serving in her church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After Melvin joined the church, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 14,

1973. Mariechen served in many callings in the church, including serving in Primary and Relief

Society presidencies, and as a visiting teacher. Her love of the restored Gospel, her Heavenly

Father, and her Savior left a lasting legacy that will never be forgotten.

She was preceded in death by her parents Dee and Joan, her husband Melvin, brother Kevin

Nelson, sister Carmen Atwood, and a grandson. Mariechen is survived by her children–Matt

(Chelsea) Goff, Dori (Devin) Jones, and Malachi (Lauren) Goff–twelve grandchildren, her half-

sister, and a brother and two sisters.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Clinton 7th Ward –1448 West 1800 North,

Clinton, Utah– on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 11 am with a viewing the same morning at 10 am

with Bishop Matt Stuart presiding. Interment will be in the Ogden City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes before the services and will be posted below.