Kathryn Godden

Oct 17, 1955 -

Feb 22, 2024

Kathryn Ann Godden, CMSgt USAF, aka "Chief," 68, of Wasilla, Alaska, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 22, 2024, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center with loved ones at her side.

Kathryn was born on Oct. 17, 1955, in the District of Columbia, the middle child of Howard and Daphne (Lochner) Gustavus (both deceased). She was raised in Kaneohe, Hawaii, with her older sister, Dot, and younger brother, Christopher (deceased).

In 1977, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, starting as an aircraft mechanic. Early on, she decided to make the Air Force her career and set her sights on reaching Chief Master Sergeant, a goal few women achieve. In Texas, she became an aircraft maintenance instructor, beginning a lifelong career in education.

In 1986, Kathryn moved to England, where she met and married her husband of 37 years, Ian. After returning to the U.S., she was sent to Missouri to create the B2 Bomber training program. She finally made it to her dream state of Alaska in 1994, where she achieved her goal of making CMSgt. Upon retiring, she returned to Alaska, where she began a civilian career in higher education at Career Academy. She spent the last 15 years developing and managing a learning management system at South Central Foundation.

She enjoyed traveling the U.S. and Europe with her family and documented their lives through her love of photography.

Kathryn leaves behind husband, Ian; children, Robin, Kristeena, Andrew and Jessica; grandchildren, Saige, Hunter, Selene and Ivan; sister, Dot; nieces, Mandy, Jodi, Tami and Kyra; nephew, Alex; and extended family.

Celebration of life will begin at 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at American Legion Post 29, 1467 Muldoon Road in Anchorage, Alaska, with full Military Honors at 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Air Force Aid Society, donations@afas-hq.org.