Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

Margaret Irene Goffena, 88, left to with her Lord on April 3, 2021 in Roundup. Margaret was born at home to Harriet and Walter (Roy) Martin south of Melstone, September 17, 1932. At the age of 4, her dad, working for the Milwaukee Railroad moved his family to Roundup. Margaret had many interesting stories, raised near the railroad tracks. She spoke fondly of roller skating on the loading dock at the Roundup Mercantile and to school. At a young age she worked at numerous jobs, including cleaning boarding rooms, taking in sewing, and waitressing at the Arena Café, while her mother cooking.

Margaret married the love of her life Jerome (Jerry) Goffena, November 29, 1948. In their union of marriage, they raised on the family ranch east of Roundup, 10 children, and one grandchild, Laura, after their oldest son, Gary, passed.

Margaret and Jerry, with their children, worked side by side, raising a large garden and extended their land and livestock herd. Together they had 2,700 ewes to lamb out and nearly 500 head of cattle to calve. You would find Margaret working in the sheepshead. She raised 1000's of bum lambs in her day.

In the summer, you would find her on the swather or on the tractor raking hay. She always managed cooking large meals, baking desserts, and making sure no one left the table hungry. Margaret took in a few kids that were not her own, but she always considered them apart of the family. She was a good-hearted woman!

She was a woman of many skills and talents. She was a very avid seamstress, making clothes for her children. Margaret was active in 4-H and was a sewing leader for over 30 years. She enjoyed embroidering, crocheting gorgeous afghans, quilting beautiful quilts, knitting, and cross stitch. Margaret did beautiful work.

Margaret was a do-it-yourselfer, fixing up houses on the main ranch, which involved plumbing, electrical, painting, wallpapering, construction, or any task at hand which came her way.

One of the her favorite things was when their family took camping trips to the mountains, going fishing, and picnics after church south of the ranch. Her children would pick wildflowers for her, wild sweet peas being her favorite. After her children were grown, Jerry would go out and pick her large bunches of wild sweet peas for her on Mother's Day. Jerry called it his special place out on their prarie land. We always wondered how they could grow on a north facing, gravelly slope hill overlooking their land. As if God placed them there for a loving, devoted husband, best friend and of 58 years to give to his sweetheart.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry (Jerome), their 4 children, Joseph at childbirth, Gary, Doug Tami (Cheryl), parents, Harriet and Roy (Walter) Martin, 6 of her siblings, Betty, Donna, Bob, Dick, Ella Mae and James Edward; a grandson, Clyde Goffena, and great grandson, Aubrey Mixon.

Margaret is survived by children: Dyan Grace (Belgrade), Shirlee Lambert (Billings), Kenny Goffena, (Roundup), Nancy Bolduc (Helena), David Goffena (Roundup), Karen McCleary (Roundup) and Steve Goffena (Billings). Thirteen grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Ronnie (Rose) Martin (Roundup) and sister, Arlene Barnett of Seattle, Washington.

A special thank you to Rose Snider, staff, and residents of Whispering Pines for the wonderful care, including her granddaughter, Laura . She was referred as Grandma. You were her extended family and she loved you all very much. As Mom/Grandma would say, "See Ya later alligator, after while crocodile!"