Altene Doris Goodwin

Altene Doris Goodwin passed away on November 17, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona. She lived a long and happy life with her husband, Lyle, who passed away in 2010. Altene was born in 1926 in North Platte, Nebraska, to Mary and Edward Downs. As an only child raised on a farm in Nebraska, her friends were her pets and the family horse. Although many Nebraska farmers' kids tell of trudging through the snow to their one-room school in the countryside, this was actually true of Altene, although during bad storms her father would hook up the horse and wagon and drive her to school. Altene loved to tell the story of how she slept with her cat to keep warm in the cold winter nights and how, during the depression, the family grew most of its own food. Before meeting the love of her life, Lyle, she taught school in a country school. In 1946, she married Lyle, and because he was a Navy pilot, Altene moved with him every two or three years raising their four children along the way. The family moved to Phoenix in 1964 when Lyle retired. Still raising a family, they bought a small business, which they operated for a number of years, employing not only themselves but their four children. After retirement, Lyle and Altene spent years traveling throughout the country in their RV. During their marriage, they visited all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary before Lyle's passing. Altene kept busy with many activities at The Beatitudes Campus, where she and Lyle resided in their later years. Altene was well-known among the residents of The Beatitudes, telling stories of her childhood until the end. She greatly appreciated the caregivers and other employees at Beatitudes Assisted Living for the care they provided and the love they extended.
Altene was a wonderful mother and will be missed. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle, son, Bradley and her grandson, Brock. She is survived by three children, Susan, Mary Lynnette (Bill) and Robert (Kris); and her grandchildren, Kristen, Alyssa, Stephanie, Callan, Savannah and Jaidyn.
Graveside services will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery, 2929 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, on January 8, 2026 at 11:00am. After that, a Celebration of Life will be held at The Beatitudes Campus, 1610 W. Glendale Avenue, Phoenix, at 1:00pm, with a reception following.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Altene Goodwin's name may be made to The Beatitudes Campus Foundation, 1610 W. Glendale, Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021 or Hospice of the Valley at www.hov.org/donate or 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Condolences may be offered at www.hansenmortuary.com