Obituary of Manuel T Godina

Manuel Torres Godina,  78 years of age, Parma, ID passed away surrounded by his loving wife, his six children, his grandchildren, and siblings. 

Manuel was the third oldest of 12 born on November 8, 1943, in Garambullo, Coahuila, Mexico to Juan and Socorro Godina.  Manuel migrated to Texas at a young age of nine.   He loved to travel and with equal love he followed the woman of his dreams to Washington to pick strawberries.  While picking strawberries, he would “steal” strawberries from the beautiful red headed woman to get her attention.  He migrated to Idaho to work in agriculture. After harvest, Manuel traveled from Idaho to Texas to ask his love out on a date.  He later married his love, Catalina Lopez on May 11, 1968.  Together, they had five children:  Virginia (Jose) Fuentes, Roberto (Mari) Godina, Manuel Jr (Liz) Godina, Gloria Isabel (Juan) Vergara, Raul (Eivan) Godina. After raising his five children, Manuel and Catalina served as foster parents to many children.  They adopted one of their foster children, their son,  Timber (Kathryn) Godina. He was also blessed with 24 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Manuel worked in the agricultural field alongside his wife, Cata, his children and brothers for many years.   Manuel showed his kids amazing work ethic and would often say “todo lo que temenos es familia” or “there is no such thing as a free lunch”.  He worked hard as a mechanic and operated his own harvest truck business for many years until his retirement. He was very proud to obtain his American Citizenship in April of 1998 but still proud of his Mexican Heritage.

Manuel loved to get together with his family and enjoyed hearing all the laughter.  He was the biggest jokester and loved to laugh and make others laugh.  He was quick-witted and often the instigator of jokes.  He was extremely supportive of all his kids and provided age-old advice, especially sound financial advice. He loved to spend time watching western shows, traveling, classic cars and listening to the crackling sound of his record collection. 

He will be missed by his family and all who knew him as he was truly a kind-hearted  person.  

Manuel was preceded in death by his parents, Juan Sr, and  Socorro, and brothers Antonio and Fidel Godina.

“And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and see GOD unencumbered? 

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then you shall truly dance.”

Khalil Gibran

“No se preocupen por mi” Manuel Godina

A Viewing will be held at 5 p.m. and rosary at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 26th at Flahiff Funeral Chapel in Caldwell. A funeral mass will begin at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley on Tuesday, September 27th with burial to follow at Wilder Cemetery.