Phillipsburg resident Burnell M. Goll passed away Wednesday, January 6th, 2021, at the Phillips County Retirement Center, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, at the age of 91.
He was born at home on June 24, 1929, in Otis, Colorado, the son of Herbert and Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Grauerholz) Goll. Burnell was baptized on May 18, 1930, at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Blue Hill, Nebraska. On April 18, 1943, he was confirmed.
Burnell attended a one room schoolhouse from grade 1-8. He played basketball and football during his high school days and graduated from Blue Hill High School on May 16, 1946, as Valedictorian. He farmed until enlisting in the United States Navy on December 3, 1950. On January 4, 1951, (70 Years ago) Burnell began active duty as Engineman Second Class on the USS Rockbridge APA 228. He was Honorably Discharged on November 26, 1954.
He farmed and lived in Kensington after returning from the service. Burnell could fix just about anything from putting Jeeps and Trucks together to inventing items when he needed something. His Aunt Mary offered his services to Evelyn “Bum” Madison Dressel when her purse broke. He returned it, and for payment received a date with Bum to the movie. Burnell was united in marriage to Bum on August 18, 1955, in front of the parsonage in Kensington, Kansas.
Burnell continued farming and drove a semi truck. He and Bum moved to Pueblo, Colorado, for him to attend Telegraph school for the Union Railroad. They were blessed with a son, Micheal Elwin, on March 11, 1957. The family moved back to Kensington. He worked for the Rock Island Railroad and Kensington Lumber Yard until Burnell began employment on August 26, 1957, with the CRA Refinery in Phillipsburg.
On May 13, 1959, their daughter, Michela Jean, was born in Phillipsburg. Burnell worked in the Warehouse for Farmland Industries until October 15, 1982, when he was transferred to the Coffeyville Refinery for one year. He returned to Coffeyville Resources in Phillipsburg and Burnell “SeaDaddy” retired on June 26, 1991, after 34 years. Burnell and his family were faithful members of Zion Lutheran Church in Phillipsburg.
Burnell loved watching Mike and Mick’s games whether playing or coaching, tinkering in his garage, sitting on the front porch with his Sweetie waving at EVERYONE that passed by, telling hunting & Navy stories, camping & fishing, CO & WY Hunting trips, coaching and umpiring girls’ softball, playing slow pitch softball . . . Burnell worked hard and loved the simple life he created for his family. He will be dearly miss by many whose lives he touched. He never knew a stranger and helped out anyone that asked.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Evelyn “Bum” of Phillipsburg; a son Micheal and wife Brenda of Salina, KS; a daughter Michela Hiesterman and husband Joel of Phillipsburg; his brother Lawrence and wife Kay of Blue Hill, NE; 3 grandchildren Chandler Brass and wife Carissa of Stockton, KS, Spencer Brass of Los Angeles, CA, and Connor Brass and wife Mary Claire of Kansas City, MO; a great granddaughter Brooklyn Elizabeth Brass of Stockton; sister-in-law Carrie “Nette” Philbrick of Sidney, NE; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Lizzie; sisters Myrnah Ratliff and husband Eldon and Naomi Siebrass and husband Don; sister-in-law Kathleen “Kassie” Bronson and husband Walter “Fat”; and brother-in-law Charles “Chuck” Philbrick
Cremation was planned. A memorial service will be held at a later time.
Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church. The family has requested no flowers or plants please.