Karla Goodale Marsh

Karla Dodge Goodale Marsh, 78, of Madison, WI, passed away on January 30, 2025 from a cerebral hemorrhage. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. 

Karla was born on March 8, 1946 in Flint, Michigan to Richard H. Goodale and Jane M. (Maginn) Goodale. She attended kindergarten in Kansas, but her parents later moved to Muncie, Indiana. She graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1964. While in high school she met Cletis Marsh. He was attending Ball State University. After his return from the Navy and her graduation from MSU in 1968, Karla did a 2-year internship in medical technology at Duke University Hospital. She then worked briefly at the V.A. while Clete worked as a dental technician at the University of North Carolina. Karla and Clete were married in Muncie, IN on October 18, 1969. While living in North Carolina, their son, Ryan, was born. Clete’s job as a dental technician then took them to the University of Iowa Dental College in Iowa City, IA. It was in Iowa that their daughter, Bridgett, was born.

Karla and Clete remained in Iowa City for 38 years until Clete retired. They attended St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. They moved to Madison, WI in 2010 where Bridgett and her family live. They returned to Iowa often to visit Ryan and his family in Oskaloosa.

Karla’s children and grandchildren were the light of her life. She and Clete loved attending their musical and sporting events. Karla and Clete also loved traveling together, from camping at local county and state parks to train rides across the country. Karla was an avid reader, having read every Agatha Christie book at least a dozen times, as well as thousands of others. She loved watching football, basketball and golf with her family, rooting for MSU, Iowa, and Wisconsin, in that order.

Karla is survived by her husband of 55 years, Cletis L. Marsh; son, Ryan Marsh; daughter, Bridgett (Rich) Manteufel; grandchildren, Connor and Katelyn Marsh and Samuel and Isaac Manteufel; brother David (Barbara) Goodale; brother Stuart (Christine Simpson) Goodale; sister Cynthia (Kenneth) Hansen; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families.

Karla’s faith was quiet but strong and we know she is home with God.

A celebration of life will be held later this year.

In lieu of flowers, any donations will be used to plant a tree(s) in her memory at her two favorite parks, F. W. Kent Park (Johnson County, IA), and Blue Mound State Park (Blue Mounds, WI). Better yet, donating a book to your local library in Karla’s name/memory would very much have made her smile. 

A quote from a favorite author: “Thanks to all the librarians. When you hand over a book, you hand over magic.”