Miriam F. Godfrey

Miriam F. Godfrey completed this life and began another in Heaven on the morning of January 15th, 2026.

She was born on April 8th, 1931 in Wells, Nevada to Jackson William Fansler and Elsie Anne Fansler. At the age of 3 months her family moved to Reedsburg, Wisconsin, where she was raised by her grandmother, aunt and uncle while her mother sought depression-era work opportunities elsewhere. A lover of music, she became skilled in violin and piano, eventually playing as a teenager in a guest string quartet with the Madison Symphony orchestra.

In 1948, on her 17th birthday, Miriam married Richard H. Godfrey, and together they settled in Madison while he completed school. The first of their six children was born a year later, and she left college at that time to begin raising her family. In 1959, due to the poor health of their infant son and following doctor’s advice, Miriam and Richard moved south to Miami, FL where they lived for the next 16 years. Miriam eventually re-entered college and completed a degree in Special Education. Her work as both a teacher and an administrator of a residential school for developmentally disabled students opened new horizons for those students, as she was committed to helping them reach their full potential.

In 1975, Miriam returned to Wisconsin and settled in Stevens Point, where she worked as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Winnebago (now Ho Chunk) Business Committee, and later as coordinator of a program overseeing hundreds of volunteers for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, both of which positions she loved. However, having been a person of strong faith and service all of her life, in mid-life she made the decision to attend a Bible college and enter into full-time ministry. She had a particular love for teaching on the subject of prayer, and ministering to people in need of prayer. That love eventually led her into a wide-ranging ministry that took her to Russia, Egypt, Israel, and nineteen states in the U.S. She was never happier than when praying for and with others. Miriam was a lover of God, her family, her many friends, music, books, birds and animals, and nature. A rabid football fan, she dressed in full Packers regalia (cap, shirt, socks, lap blanket; coffee in a Packers mug) to cheer on her team.

Miriam is survived by her children, Richard L. Godfrey (Elizabeth) of Madison, WI; Daramea Godfrey of Roanoke, VA, Michelle Godfrey of Chippewa Falls, WI, Laurie Godfrey of Eau Claire, WI, Morgan Godfrey (Terri) of Woodbury, MN, and Graham Godfrey (Sue) of Iola, WI. She is further survived by grandchildren, Katie Godfrey Demmer (Dustin Demmer) of MN, Clairanne Godfrey of Chicago, Troy MacWoodard-Vladyka (Dawn) of VA, Kevin Jones (Aubrey) of WA, Tim Jones (Jessie) of Pittsburgh, McKenna Godfrey of MN; and by great-grandchildren, Lena, Isla, Ryan, Cora, Owen, Clay, Lucy, Emmett, and Rowan.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the many who walked with Miriam through this last journey of her life: Dr. Elizabeth Baker of Mayo, the stellar staff of Chippewa Manor Rehabilitation, the angels of St Croix Hospice who cared for her (and us) with such skill and compassion, our wonderful Pastors Caleb and Carrie Fritz and the members of New Life church, and the dear friends in our Bible Fellowship, Senior Center, and Homestead Village.

A memorial service will be held for Miriam on Saturday, January 31st at New Life Church, 11790 17th Ave; Chippewa Falls (Village of Lake Hallie), WI. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. with the service beginning at 2 p.m. An interment gathering will be held for the family in the spring.