Riva Goodwill passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, in Shenandoah, Iowa. Born Riva Renè Butvid Anderson on December 23, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, Riva was a city girl at heart. She loved the energy of Chicago and was saddened when her family moved to rural Wisconsin during her high school years. After graduating from DeSoto High School in 1965, Riva put her plans of becoming a kindergarten teacher on hold when she married her first love, Keith Allan Brown, on Christmas Day, 1965. Together they welcomed two children before later divorcing.
Several years later, Riva met the love of her life, Dennis Dean Goodwill. The two were married on January 16, 1976, and Riva moved to Shenandoah, Iowa, where they raised her children together and built a life rooted in family and community.
Eager to meet people and become involved in her new hometown, Riva began working at Garden View Care Center, where she dedicated 35 years of service before retiring. Her commitment to others extended beyond her career; she was an active member of the community and served as a Girl Scout leader for over ten years, positively influencing the lives of many young women.
Riva had a passion for reading, genealogy research, stamp collecting, and traveling. After retirement, she especially enjoyed the many City National Bank tours she participated in. Though she loved being in a crowd and socializing, her favorite place was at home with her family.
Riva was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children, Kirsten Sanders (Kurt) and Niel Goodwill (Janniene); her grandchildren, Aaron Goodwill, Zachary Goodwill, and Kian Sanders; her brother, Niccee Anderson (Alice); and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dennis, and her parents, Steve Butvid and Pauline Elizabeth Anderson.
There are no services planned at this time.
