Lola B. (Bixler) Godat

Lola Bixler Godat  07/21/1934  - 03/08/2020

Lola was born in Adams Co, Iowa to Grace & Erle Bixler.

Lola grew up in the midst of the great depression and WW2.  In those hard years Lola learned from her parents the value of community and lending a hand to family & neighbors in need. Making the most with what’s on hand, to be self-sufficient and resourceful.

Lola had a delightfully mischievous side, often pulling pranks on her siblings, and later her husband & kids.  She could be found in the back seat of her older brother’s car, with her siblings hiding under a blanket, sneaking into the drive-in movies.  She loved to go roller skating with her girlfriends.

A young Lola worked at a café waiting tables and cooking.  After moving to Oregon in the mid 1950’s a newly divorced, single mother of an infant, a determined Lola worked at nursing homes to support herself. 

She met her handsome Robert when he asked if he could buy her young son an ice cream cone… Robert soon proposed. A week before the wedding Robert was laid off.  Family expected them to postpone the ceremony but, they said they would live off their love, and live on love they did.  They would celebrate 61 years off marriage March 13, 2020. Lola lovingly cared for Robert until his last days almost single handedly.  Keeping him in the comfort of their home.  Theirs was a love story for the books.

They made their home in Corbett, Oregon and together they raised Robert’s younger brothers and sister and their own five children in a very loud house with much love and laughter. With Lola’s nurturing way and big heart, the door was always open to family in need.  A spare could usually be found in the mix. 

Lola stayed home to raise her small children, babysitting to bring in extra income.  She taught many a new mother how to calm a baby with the same love and patients given to her own children. Lola raised her children with the same values she learned. Passing along the importance of a strong family and community.  Honesty and integrity,

Lola kept an immaculate home, she loved to bake, and share a cup of coffee with family and friends who stopped by to chat.  Lola was often the hostess of very large family gatherings, cooking and baking for days in advance. She had a way of making chores fun, dancing and using her mop handle as a mic to sing as she cleaned the floors.

As her children got older, Lola went to work as a shift supervisor at Kaso Plastics.  She and Robert retired and moved to their second home in Prineville, Oregon in 1990.   In that home, filled with grandchildren, nieces and nephews, Lola’s tutelage of the next generation began again. 

Lola was a very private person but once in her circle, you had a lifelong friend. Lola was most comfortable as the light in the background, her encouragement and strength will always be felt, her love and energy in our hearts. We all carry the spark of mischief she lit in each of us.

In addition to her parents, Lola is preceded in death by her much loved Husband Robert Godat, sisters Hilda Bixler, Lois Larsen, Lorene Clarke and brothers Kenneth & Billy Bixler.

Surviving her are her sister Louise McMorran, children, Wade Godat, Brian Godat, Denise Godat Smith, Robert K Godat & Trudy Godat.  17 grand children, 17 great grand children and numerous nieces & nephews.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lola B. (Bixler) Godat, please visit our floral store.