Stella A. Goodew, age 80, of Austin, died Monday, March 31, 2003 at the Austin Medical Center.

Stella was born June 26, 1922, in Alden to Hans and Kathrine (Hoeg) Christensen. She graduated from Alden High School in 1940. On June 30, 1944, she married Lawrence W. Mellum in Chicago, Ill., and on Nov. 22, 1953, she married Lawrence H. Goodew at the First United Methodist Church in Austin. Stella was a homemaker. She enjoyed life, especially spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Lawrence Goodew of Austin; two daughters: Julie (Mike Pratt) Martin of Austin, and Marilyn (Mike) Toogood of Rochester; two sons: Steve (Deb) Goodew of Austin, and Mike (Heidi) Mellum of Okeechobee, Fla.; three grandchildren: Nick Shaler, Jeremy Martin and Lucas Goodew; and two sisters: Selma Lent of Albert Lea, and Janet (Gordon) Groff of Shakopee.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence W. Mellum; three brothers and three sisters-in-law; and one sister.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4, at the Mayer Funeral Home, Austin, with the Rev. Greg Mannel officiating. Friends called from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday and one hour before the service on Friday. Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery.