Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be Thursday, February 1 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD.     

Service: Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m.  Friday, February 2 at Bethany Reformed Church, Canton, SD.

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Alta M. Goodman, age 96, died Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Bethesda Home of Beresford, SD.  Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m.  Friday, February 2 at Bethany Reformed Church, Canton, SD.  Visitation, with family present, will be Thursday, February 1 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD.

Alta Marie Goodman was born March 29, 1927 at Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of B. Mitchell and Georgia Marie Franks and the step-daughter of Pearl K. Gingery and Grace E. Hovey Franks.

Chicago was her home during her early years where she received education in music and also an Associate of Arts degree in Nursing from Northwestern University. After graduation, she worked as a scrub nurse and office nurse. She was united in marriage to Dr. George O. Goodman Jr. DDS, on December 17, 1949 at Ravenswood Methodist Episcopal Church in Chicago, Illinois. The couple made their home in Canton, S.D.

Her activities in the community include the Student Loan Fund Board, American Legion Auxiliary, Extension, Kaffee Klatch Women’s Club, Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader, and playing Christmas music at the Nora Store. Alta was an accomplished violinist who performed with The South Dakota Symphony for more than 30 years. During her symphony career, she was given many accolades and was honored to play alongside Yo-Yo Ma, Ray Charles and Glenn Campbell.  In addition, she ministered with music in nursing homes with 1st Lutheran Caring Ministries in Sioux Falls, folk groups, and entertained in local programs with her husband as accompanist on the piano.

Alta was an active member of the Christian Church in her youth, a confirmed member of Canton Lutheran Church and Hillcrest Baptist Church in South Dakota, and currently attended Bethany Reformed Church in Canton, SD.

Alta was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. George; her parents; an infant son, John; her son, James; and her sister and brother-in-law, Grace M. (Warren) Donewald.

She is survived by her son, Robert “Bob” Goodman; daughter, Mary (Andrew) da Rosa; two grandchildren, Paul da Rosa and Mia da Rosa; and niece, Eve (John) Dano and their children Jonathan (Britany) and Rachel.