Mary Ellen Godbout, age 86, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, formerly Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2025, at The Heritage at Fox Run in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mary Ellen was born February 28, 1938, in Irving, Kansas, the daughter of Ralph and Lucille (Mandele) Williams. She graduated from the Seneca Public High School in Seneca, Kansas. She worked at the Clerk of Court office in Emporia while her future husband Ron Godbout attended school at Emporia State University. They were married on September 13, 1958, in Seneca, Kansas. Ron and Mary Ellen moved to Fairview, Kansas, until 1968, when they moved to Red Oak, Iowa. Over the years, Mary Ellen worked for Dr. Dave Ramig, Montgomery County Courthouse, and Houghton State Bank where she retired after 26 years of service. She also worked part time for Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. Mary Ellen was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, Church Circle, and Sorority. Currently she was a member of the Red Oak Presbyterian Church. Her hobbies included cooking, baking, and collecting pottery and hand-blown glass. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her children and grandchildren attending all their events.

Preceding her in death were her parents; grandson: Steven Godbout; and brothers: John Williams and Clifford "Buzz" Williams. Survivors include her husband: Ron Godbout of Council Bluffs, IA; sons: Jeff Godbout and Betty Cooper of Red Oak, IA and Mike Godbout and fiancé Lanesa of Glenwood, IA; grandchildren: Brenden Godbout and Casey Godbout of Glenwood, IA; Denae Statzer and husband Alec Mass of New Castle, CO; and Tevin Statzer of Broadus, MT; brother-in-law: Richard Godbout and wife Kay of Abilene, TX; sisters-in-law: Charlotte Williams of Buffalo, MO and Mary Jo Berges of Manhattan, KS; and many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Red Oak, Presbyterian Church. Burial of the cremated remains will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held from 5-7 PM Friday, January 10, 2025, at the LeRette Funeral Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Red Oak Presbyterian Church.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.