Cora Mae Goggins

Cora Mae Amdor Goggins of Ennis, 92, passed away on November 29, 2021. She was born on March 3, 1929, to Earl and Cora Hamel Amdor in Harlowton, Montana. Her dad worked for the railroad, and she grew up in Harlowton, Sand Springs, and Miles City, graduating from Harlowton High School in 1946. She worked at the local soda fountain through school and a good-looking, red-headed young man was a regular patron. The day after she graduated from high school that young man, Bob Goggins, asked her for a date and they were married on October 30, 1946. This began an epic journey of over 71 years together.

In 1948, they moved to Bear Creek at Cameron, Montana, where Bob was the herdsman for Orr Herefords. Cora made a deal with Mrs. Orr to cook the noon meal for the crew all summer, making enough so Mrs. Orr had leftovers for supper. In lieu of payment, Mrs. Orr gave Cora a Hereford steer. Bob fed and fitted the steer and showed him at the Montana Winter Fair where he was named Grand Champion. He sold for $1000, which was quite a sum in the late 1940s. She always joked that was the best paid cooking gig she ever had. In 1959, Bob and Cora bought the home ranch a mile north of Ennis where they raised their family and high-quality Hereford cattle. Cora was well known for her cooking and baking, and it is no coincidence that the livestock fieldmen would drive into the ranch around 11:00 am to look through the cattle, knowing that Cora always served a big ranch dinner at noon. Over the years, she cooked for big cattle working crews and family gatherings and was also famous for her delicious roast beef lunch at the annual bull sale, including her famous Montana wheat salad.

As well-known as she was for her cooking, her baked goods were legendary. When her kids were growing up, she would send baked goods to the school bake sales, but the items seldom made it to the table to be sold because people lurked by the door and pounced upon Cora’s kids to buy whatever Cora had sent with them. Her cookies, dinner rolls, and donuts were amazing, but her homemade bread was the stuff of legend. Cora taught catechism, was a Cub Scout den mother, and a supportive 4-H mom. She volunteered at the Ennis School Library for many years, combining two of her favorite things, kids and books. She also volunteered at the Madison Valley Manor and the Nearly New Shoppe. She served on the Madison County Planning Board, the Madison County Library Board, and was an active member of the Madison Valley CattleWomen.

Cora is survived by her daughters, sons, and daughters-in-law who she considered daughters, Betty Goggins, Janet Endecott, Terri Goggins, Jim and Shelly Goggins, and Pat and Michelle Goggins, as well as grandchildren Coralee (Chad) Butterfield, Rachel Endecott, and Coy (Valene) Goggins, and great-grandchildren Aaron and Marlee Butterfield. Other survivors include sisters Sue (Gary) Foust, Alice (Don) Crum, sisters-in-law Babe Goggins and Millie Goggins, and brother-in-law George Ellinghouse, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Bob Goggins, son Bob Goggins, and son-in-law Bob Endecott, parents Earl and Cora Amdor, stepmother Elizabeth Amdor, brother Bill Amdor, and sisters and brothers-in-law Marlene and Bill Moody and Betty and Gene Gunlock.

Cora will be remembered as a pillar of the community, a steadfast ranching partner, and a supportive and loving mother and grandmother. A private family service is planned. Memorials may be made to Madison Valley Medical Center, PO Box 993, Ennis, MT 59729, or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, PO Box 17, Sheridan, MT 59749.