Christina Lynn (Ellis) Goodrich, 65, of Brooklyn and formerly of Malcom, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at UnityPoint St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, With her 4 sons by her side.

A celebration of life gathering and luncheon will be held from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the St. Francis Manor Social Center in Grinnell. Lunch will be served at 12:00 PM.

If desired, memorial contributions may be designated to the Christina Goodrich Memorial Fund. Cards and memorials may be mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Christina was born on May 6, 1961, in Grinnell to Larry and Penne Ellis. She was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1979. She later earned her Certified Dietary Manager / Certified Food Protection Professional certificate from Des Moines Area Community College, Then afterwards earned AAS degree in Culinary Apprenticeship from Marshalltown Community College.

Christina was united in marriage to Charles Goodrich, and together they were blessed with four sons: Justin, Matthew, Zach, and Charlie. Their marriage later ended in divorce.

Christina spent her entire working career in food service. In high school she began as a cook at KFC in Grinnell, and then Oakland Acres Golf Course Kitchen. She later worked at Dickey's at the Malcom truck stop.

For the past 35 years, she worked at St. Francis Manor, where she worked her way up to Certified Dietary Manager, and Certified Food Protection Professional. Per her work family her correct title was “Bossy” Her many years there reflected both her strong work ethic and her natural gift for caring for others through food. In the recent days, her sons who also worked at St. Francis Kitchen in high school, have learned from their mom’s work family recently, she became a kid again with her work friends.

Christina was a devoted Elvis Presley fan and had a special love for dogs, especially Pugs. She enjoyed cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Green Bay Packers, and her hugs were something family and friends will always remember.

Above all, Christina loved her family. She took great pride in watching her sons grow, succeed, and participate in sports, and she especially cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren. Much of Christina's love was shared around the dinner table, where she enjoyed preparing home-cooked meals for those she cared about. Among the family favorites were her goulash, pancakes, chili, and barbecue ribs.

Those left to cherish Christina's memory include her sons, Justin (Bethany) Goodrich and their children, Emery and Macie, of Ladora, Iowa; Matthew (Kaelyn) Goodrich and their daughter, Ivy, of Brooklyn; Zach Goodrich of Brooklyn; and Charlie Goodrich of Brooklyn; her mother, Penne (Briggs) and stepfather, Keith Andrew of Burleson, TX; her sister, Julie (Huey) Bush and family of Harrison, Arkansas, and half-sister Jennifer (Shane) Church and family of Burleson, TX; Cousin Don Ellis and family.

Christina was preceded in death by her father, Larry Ellis, and his wife, Dorothy. Her uncle Donald Ellis Sr. And Her Grandparents, Percy (Jeanette) Ellis and Roger (Marge) Briggs