Lynda Ann Goodnow

God called one of His finest angels back Home as Lynda Ann Goodnow, 61 of Silver Lake, surrounded by family, passed into the arms of her Savior February 4, 2011.

Lynda was born in Topeka on October 10, 1949, the daughter of Howard and Myrtle Hook. She lived most of her life in the Silver Lake and Topeka communities. On July 22, 1966, Lynda Hook married the only love of her life, Darrell Goodnow. They turned their 44 years of marriage into a million memories and a large loving family.

After graduating from Silver Lake High School, Lynda owned and ran a home management and cleaning business for many years, developing numerous life-long friendships that became more family like than business like. During the 1980's, Lynda worked hard to help her husband and others start an electronics design and development company; then in 1994 they spun off a portion of that business which eventually became Atlantic Signal LLC, now one of the world's leading makers of tactical communications headsets, where she worked until illness forced her to retire last year. Lynda was very proud of the fact that her company's products helped save the lives of many good men and women in law enforcement and military professions. Silver Lake United Methodist Church, American Business Women's Association, and the Moose Lodge were among various memberships that Lynda held.

As much as she liked her "stuff", nothing in life was more important to Lynda than her relationships and interaction with family and friends. Mere words cannot describe the feelings of those she left behind. She was regarded by all who knew her as genuine, honest, and caring. A stranger didn't feel like a stranger for long around Lynda as she had a way of communicating that made everyone want to confide in her, knowing they could do so without being judged. Her inspiring words of wisdom always left people believing they could get through hard times and achieve their objectives. Every family member knew her affection, playfulness, good humor, compassion, and incredible generosity. She was patient with all of us, a bit stubborn, but fiercely loyal, and her love was always unconditional. Every grandchild will always remember the comfort conveyed in her gentle touch. She carried herself with dignity, confidence, bravery, and strength, proudly leaving this troubled world without a single enemy.

Lynda, you will always be deeply loved and your influence on us will be there for the remainder of our lives. May your everlasting life be nothing but joy and good health while you wait for the rest of us to join you in the Kingdom of Heaven. We know your ever present warm, friendly smile and contagious laughter will be cherished there as it always was here on Earth. We are grateful knowing you are present in our daily lives and that you are continuing to help guide us though we may not be able to easily see and hear you.

Survivors include Lynda's husband, Darrell Goodnow of Silver Lake, daughter Elisa Lowrey and her husband, Larry and their children Kayla, Kendra and Kira of Silver Lake; daughter Hadley Frederick and her husband, David and their children Mason, Brooke and Vincent of Topeka. Other survivors include sisters Shirley Wyatt and husband Clyde; Dana Rooney; Emma Gay and husband Keith all of Topeka and Bea Hook of Wichita; sister-in-law Janice Goodnow of Auburn; parents-in-law Clyde and Betty Goodnow and brother-in-law Dennis Goodnow of Springfield, Missouri. She is also survived by one immediate niece and six nephews and numerous extended family nieces and nephews, plus her loving cousins. Lynda was preceded in death by her mother Myrtle Hook, father Howard Hook and brother George Fahringer.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 PM on Saturday, February 12th at Mount Hope Chapel, 4700 Southwest 17th Street, Topeka. Visitation will be on Friday, February 11th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 Southwest 10th Avenue, Topeka.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lynda Goodnow Memorial at any Silver Lake Bank.