Elliene Ann Goughnour

Ellie was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa on October 29, 1944 to Ann Joan Clapp and Fred (Fritz) Barkhoff. On June 22, 1951, Ellie and her parents were in a fatal car accident, killing her father. Several months later her mother died of injuries from the accident. Ellie lived with her grandparents (the Clapp’s) the rest of her childhood.

She attended Cedar Falls High School and was active in the music program, eventually giving up the clarinet and band for the school choir. She attended State College of Iowa in Cedar Falls where she met Dick Goughnour. He transferred to the University of Iowa and after marrying Ellie in 1964, both attended the U of I until they graduated in 1966. They then moved to DeKalb, Illinois where Dick pursued a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Ellie began teaching.

After completion of his MBA, Dick, Ellie, and new baby, Andrea, moved to Peoria, IL where Dick began work at Caterpillar Tractor Company. Ellie continued to teach and in a few years a son, Trent was born. The family moved to Washington, IL and after a third child, Michael, was born, Ellie began teaching again. During her tenure as a teacher, she also took classes at Illinois State University, getting her M.A. Later, she left elementary teaching, worked for ISU as a supervisor of student teacher and began her studies toward a Doctorate degree.

Soon after, Dick left Caterpillar and went to work for a company in Quincy, IL. But she was not deterred with the longer commute to continue her studies. Securing a position at Quincy University, Ellie taught classes at the University during the day and drove to classes in Bloomington, IL in the evening and summers. Then came another move to Memphis. It was decided Ellie would stay in Quincy until their youngest son graduated from high school. After three years, Ellie moved to Memphis, with a Doctorate of Education and a position at Christian Brothers University.

After two years at CBU, Ellie left the University for a Job with FedEx as an instructional designer and remained there until she retired in 2014. In 2001, she received the FedEx 5 Star Award, the highest honor at FedEx.

Ellie was very active in volunteering. She served on the Board of Directors for Hope House and was President for several terms. She was active for years in the GPC Choir and with Presbyterian Women, receiving the Honorary Lifetime Membership for her work with the PW organization.

Ellie leaves her husband of 62 years and three children - Andrea, Trent (Kandy), and Michael (Holly). She also leaves 7 grandchildren – Jonah, Isaac, Grace, Jacob, Emma, Olivia, and Avery. Grandson Grant died when he was 17 days old.

The family asks that any memorials be made to Germantown Presbyterian Church.