MADISON - Gayle Jean Goodman, age 70, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, after her long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on October 14, 1955, to Joan (Shepard) and Robert Zuelsdorf. The family later moved to Wisconsin, where she spent most of her childhood in Horicon, where she enjoyed being outdoors and exploring the marsh with her brothers and sisters. She attended and graduated from Horicon High School.

Later on she moved to Fond du Lac where she was a cook at George Webb Restaurant. Here she met and married Gordon Goodman, and they had two children, Kelly, born in 1979, and Beth, born in 1981.

In 1994, the family moved to Watertown, where Gayle worked in the Dietary Department at Bethesda Lutheran Home. She loved working there and continued there until her retirement. In 2018, she moved to Madison to live with her daughter Beth when her health required her to have more assistance.

Gayle enjoyed being outside, fishing, crocheting, and spending time with her children. She had a bright personality and a goofy sense of humor. There was so much beauty about her. Her children remember her as a loving, attentive mother who would do anything for them.

Gayle is survived by her daughters, Kelly Goodman and Beth Casto; brothers, Michael Zuelsdorf, Timothy (Jackie) Zuelsdorf and Donovan (Becky) Zuelsdorf; sisters, Susan Siravo, Janet Buresh, Lisa (Dan) Porten, Kathy (Dan) Shea and Anne Christian; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Joan; brother, Daniel Zuelsdorf; sister, Martha Goodman; brother-in-law, Kenneth “Scotty” Buresh; and niece, Elizabeth.

A service celebrating Gayle’s life will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of the service on Friday. She expressed joy at the idea of attendees dressing colorfully in her memory, if possible.

In lieu of flowers, Gayle requested that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Gayle Jean Goodman

October 14, 1955 - March 06, 2026

Share photos of Gayle