Twila Goodman was born September 23, 1947 in Gordon, Nebraska to Frank and Beverly (May) Vaughn. She was the oldest of four and the lucky girl of the family to watch over three brothers.

Twila attended a variety of schools growing up but her education began at Green Valley country school and concluded graduating from Bennett County High School in 1965. During this time, she was always surrounded with family members, many of which she remained close to throughout her life. In her early years of education, she developed a great love of learning and continued to pursue a teaching degree after high school through Black Hills State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education and special education. During her college career she would often barter goods for writing essays or tutoring, in true Twila fashion a good supper of fresh fish was worth any speech paper. When her time at BHSU was completed, she went on to Arizona for graduate work where she collaborated a plan for special education curriculum on the reservation. After schooling, she returned to her roots on the Pine Ridge Reservation and began her love of teaching in Kyle, SD. She continued to teach the next 41 years of her life in different schools on Pine Ridge before retiring from Little Wound School in special education, where it all began. After so many years of teaching people wouldn’t ask if you knew Twila, it was always “Mrs. Goodman”.

Twila married Al Goodman in 1974 and together they had two sons, Shawn and Rob. From 4-H competitions to sports, ranching and health struggles she was always there for all of it with them. They were always her favorite kids until the grandkids came along. Twila always enjoyed an afternoon of fishing, an adventure with family or close friends, she was a great cook, she loved to bake and we all attended branding just for the caramel rolls. She was an amazing gardener and always had a knack to keep the weeds away. Every fall you could usually find the counter covered in canning jars full of pickles, jelly and other veggies.

Twila was always one for conversation. She had a handful of close friends who she truly treasured in life. You could always bounce ideas around at any point in the day and any place. Twila was easy to talk to and she was always up for a good visit. Her phone calls and afternoon visits will be missed by many.

Twila is survived by her two sons Shawn Goodman, Rob (Andrea) Goodman. Her brother David (Tami) Nelson; her grandchildren: Cash Ecoffey, Clancy, Callum, Cort and Claire Goodman, and Sloan Goodman; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Beverly Vaughn, her brothers Michael “Butch” Vaughn and Tom Vaughn, and nephews Travis and Chad Nelson.

A visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral service.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at the American Legion in Martin with Ken Toews officiating.

Interment will follow at the Martin Community Cemetery.