Lois Nadine Klement, known to many as Josie, passed away on March 21, 2022, at her home in Ventura, California. Josie was born on November 19, 1930, in Sleeper, Missouri to William Franklin Goodwin, Sr., and Vallie Agnes Goodwin, neé Clark.
Josie started teaching at 17 due to the lack of teachers during WWII, earning her degree at night. She was a beloved first grade teacher to hundreds of students over her 43-year career. Her greatest joy was teaching children to read. Although Josie truly loved teaching, her not-so-secret passion was art and poetry. She worked in multiple media including sculpture, painting, and fabric with a special eye for incorporating found objects. Josie was recently featured in a short documentary by Bill Gourley of Santa Barbara.
Josie is survived by her son, Rhodes Klement, and his husband, Eric Staten, of San Francisco, and her daughter Genie Klement, of Ventura. Josie is also survived by her grandchildren, Miguel Mungia and his partner Giulia Moore, Jasmin Munguia and her partner Mike Plata, Bailey Castro, and her beloved dog Banjo, all of Ventura. She will be missed by her family and friends and the many passers-by who enjoyed her beautiful garden, her art, and visiting on the front porch.