MARSHALL — In the more than 30 years he lived in Marshall, Mark Goodenow forged a lot of connections. He wasn’t only a professor at Southwest Minnesota State University – he served in county government, supported community organizations, worked to preserve local history, and made lasting friendships.

“He was such a close friend to so many people,” said Jan Loft, a friend and former SMSU colleague of Goodenow.

Goodenow died at his winter home in Mesa, Arizona, on Feb. 2. He was 68.

Goodenow was born in Battle Creek, Iowa, and grew up on the family farm with his parents, Bruce and Patricia, and three brothers. Goodenow’s parents gave him an appreciation for antiques and preserving historical items that would last his whole life.

“His mom took him to auctions,” said Pat Brace, professor of art at SMSU and a longtime friend of Goodenow.

Goodenow graduated from Battle Creek High School, got his undergraduate at Morningside College in Sioux City, and earned his MBA and doctorate of jurisprudence at Drake University in Des Moines.

Goodenow was a professor of business administration at SMSU from 1988 until his retirement in 2018. During that time, Loft said, he served as the chair of the Business Administration department, and was involved with the university’s faculty association and the Inter Faculty Organization.

“He also played a key role in the creation of the culinology department,” Loft said.

Goodenow also made lasting friendships in the SMSU community. He was part of “the lunch bunch,” a group of SMSU faculty and staff who regularly met over their lunch hour and became friends, Loft said.

Goodenow wasn’t only an active part of the SMSU community. He served in Lyon County government, and was involved in area arts and history organizations. In 1994, he took office as a Lyon County commissioner, after winning a special election when former commissioner Daniel Archbold resigned, said Lyon County Administrator Loren Stomberg.

Brace and Loft both remembered helping Goodenow with his campaign — he ran with the slogan “Goodenow Is Good Enough,” they said.

Goodenow served on the county board until 2002, and then ran for election again in 2004, Stomberg said. He remained in office until 2014.

Lyon County Commissioner Rick Anderson said Goodenow was a good resource for him when he was first elected to the county board.

“I would go visit him at the college when I had questions,” Anderson said. He said Goodenow “was always one to do his homework” when it came to county issues. “That’s what I appreciated about him.”

Goodenow was involved with many different community organizations and causes. While he was serving as a commissioner, he was involved with the Lyon County Developmental Achievement Center, Loft said. For many years, he was also involved with the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council, the Marshall-Lyon County Library, and the Lyon County Historical Society. Goodenow was part of the efforts to build the current library building in Marshall, and involved in the Lyon County Museum’s move from the old county courthouse building on Main Street to new locations in downtown Marshall.

Another memorable part of Goodenow’s time in Marshall was his restoration of the historic William F. Gieseke house on West Lyon Street. Goodenow bought the house in 1990.

“He had looked for a couple years, and tried to find something that interested him,” Brace said. Restoring the house became a years-long hobby for Goodenow.

“Everything he did was historically accurate,” Loft said.

Goodenow opened up the house for tours and special events, especially around Christmas.

“He liked events, and he liked entertaining,” Brace said.

After he retired, Goodenow sold his home in Marshall and moved to his family’s home in West Lake Okoboji, Iowa. But he stayed in touch with friends from the SMSU community, and was an active supporter of organizations like the Lyon County Historical Society, Loft said.

Loft and Brace said they remembered Goodenow’s warm personality.

“He was my big brother,” Brace said. “He was generous and cranky, and kind and grumpy.” Brace said Goodenow would challenge her to accomplish things she didn’t think she could do.

In a message to SMSU faculty and staff this week, the university said a small gathering for Goodenow’s family and friends would be held Feb. 17 in Spirit Lake, Iowa. A larger celebration of his life will be held this summer in West Lake Okoboji.