NewsObituaries

Actions

Obituary: Denise Goff

Posted at 11:52 AM, Oct 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-26 13:52:34-04

After a protracted battle with cancer, Denise Goff died on October 21, 2020, in Stockett, Montana at the age of 61, and is now flying with the lady bugs.

Denise was born December 18, 1958, in Great Falls, Montana, to Dennis and Joan Yatsko. She grew up in a large, loving family with three sisters and four brothers. Shortly after high school graduation (1977), Denise married Mark Goff (1978). They had three sons, Matthew (1985), Michael (1990), and Zachary (1993). In 1997, Denise threw herself into education by helping and assisting children at Centerville High School with her welcoming spirit, smile, and laughter for the next 24 years.

During these years, her infamous recess whistle traveled with her everywhere, as did her desire to put a book in every child’s hand. Working with young kids and being a pseudo second mom truly was her passion. When diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in 2016, she remained dedicated in her work and in her will to fight her illness. She remained a brave, iron-willed woman, even throughout her final months where she continued to have a positive outlook, and continued to care more for everybody else first.

Some of her fond memories include visiting friends and family near Seattle and Edmonton, deer rides through the Coulee to count Uga Bougas with her eagle eyes, swimming at Smith and Belt Creek, camping in Lincoln, watching and coordinating high school sporting events, boating on Holter, coordinating big Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas family events and meals, giving hugs to everyone trips with her Peeps to Helena, Saturday coffee at Schultes with the Ladies, coming up with creative crafts for children for after school programs, visiting her sons in Florida, Germany, and Iowa, and hanging out at GGs.

To read the complete obituary and share condolences, visit the Schnider Funeral Home website.