Goldie Pizel

Goldie Marie Pizel was a beloved grandmother, mother, and wife during her incredible 92 years of life. She passed away peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 at her home in Littleton, CO.

Goldie had a long and full life. She was born on February 10, 1930, in Agra, Kansas, to two loving parents, George H. & Rose (Schmidt) Phillips. She graduated from Goodland High School in the class of 1947.

Goldie met the love of her life, Vernon L. Pizel, while still in High School. They were married June 22nd, 1947, at the First Christian Church in Goodland, Kansas during a dual ceremony for both her and her sister-in-law. Vernon served in the Air Force during World War II. When Vernon left the Air Force, he became a partner in a family business called BP&VP Construction Company aka “The Alphabet Boys”. Goldie and Vernon moved numerous times for his job traveling all over the great state of Kansas while he helped build parts of I-70 and other roads. Goldie and Vernon welcomed their daughter Diana December 14th, 1949, and their son John on July 5th, 1952.

In 1963, they settled back in Goodland where Goldie worked as assistant manager at Sears before they moved to the farm in Kanorado, KS. While on the farm, Goldie enjoyed helping with the cattle, gardening, canning, as well as helping her kids with their 4H activities. Goldie was also known for her impeccable sewing abilities. She crafted many outfits and costumes throughout all her years. She was known to stay up all night making costumes for dance recitals for Diana and horse shows for Jordan when things didn’t always go as planned.

Goldie had a heart for caring for people and dedicated herself to serve others in various ways. She became a fulltime caretaker to her son John after his accident in 1968 until his death in 1984. After Vernon’s death in 1987, Goldie moved to Denver, CO to help care for her granddaughters Lindsay and Jordan. She then volunteered as an aid at Westridge Elementary when Lindsay was in kindergarten. She later was hired on to be a paid Paraprofessional for the school. For over 20 years children in the hallways of Westridge Elementary called her “Grandma Goldie”. She filled the Grandparent role for many children through the years and loved them all as her own. Goldie earned the title of “Great Grandma” in 2014 with the birth of her first great-grandson Logan. She helped Jordan raise Logan and run an in-home daycare where she again shined at being a caretaker. Grandma Goldie always had a lap to sit on, arms open for a hug, and an “I love you” waiting to be said.

She doted on her granddaughters. Lindsay and Jordan couldn’t spend a minute with her without her telling them how much she loved them and how proud she was to be their grandmother. She showed up to almost every school event, sports practice/game, horse riding show, dance recitals, etc. they had. Lindsay and Jordans’ friends lovingly called their group of grandparents the “G-Unit” and always noted how they were always there for them. That love continued to her two great-grandsons Logan and Timothy. We know without a doubt that she would have showed up for them in the same ways if given the chance.

We will miss Goldie dearly, but we are so grateful for the time we had to spend with her. We will always feel her presence in our hearts. We all will remember Goldie for her love of family and all children, her multitude of skills, her sass, her caretaking abilities, and her endearing stubbornness.

Goldie is survived by her daughter Diana (Ellis) Black of Hall, Montana. Granddaughters Lindsay (Jenni) Black of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Jordan (Tim) Doyle of Hall, Montana. Great-Grandson’s Logan & Timothy of Hall, Montana and sister-in-law, Shirley Churchill of Novato, California. She is preceded in death by her Mother Rose Phillips, Father George H. Phillips, Stepmother Lota Phillips, Husband Vernon Pizel, and Son John Pizel.