Phillip Goodenberger

     Phillip Arlen Goodenberger passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska. He was 88.

     Phillip was born August 10, 1937 in McCook, Nebraska to Bert and Grace (Nelson) Goodenberger. He graduated from McCook High School in 1954 and earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1958. While he was at UNL, Phillip played the cornet in the Cornhusker Marching Band.

     At the wedding of a friend, Phillip met the girl with whom he would spend the rest of his life, Marilyn Grafton. They married August 7, 1960 and had three children, Marcia, Paul and Kathy. Throughout their almost 66 years of marriage, Phillip and Marilyn had many adventures together farming and ranching, remodeling a house, square and round dancing, and taking many trips around the country with Marilyn’s sister and her husband.

     Phillip had a love for ranching and working with cattle. He also loved the pets he had throughout his life, especially his West Highland White Terrier, Peppy.

     Phillip retired from farming in 2007 and he and Marilyn moved to McCook. He and Paul added a woodworking shop to the house and Phillip spent countless hours crafting things for his family and friends. If you wanted him to make you something, all you had to do was ask and he would figure it out.

     Phillip was a member of the Community United Methodist Church while living near Stratton and Memorial Methodist Church after moving to McCook. He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang in the choir and played in the bell choir at both churches for many years. He also served on the Hitchcock County Fair Board and the Sarah Ann Hester Home board of directors, enjoyed being a timing judge at the Wilsonville rodeo, and participated in several community theater productions, especially enjoying the time he spent building sets.

     Preceding Phillip in death were his parents; brothers, Wayne, Marvin, John and Gilbert; and sisters, Della Warner, Geneva Rouse and Phyllis Davis.

     Survivors include his wife, Marilyn, of McCook; children, Marcia (Mark) Felder of Cypress, Texas, Paul (Marlene) Goodenberger and Kathy (Mark) Latta of McCook; grandchildren: Melanie (Tim) Jackson, Mitchell (Amy) Grandstaff, Rachel Felder, Amanda (Ryan) Knapp, Andy (Gloria) Goodenberger, Aaron (Whitney) Goodenberger, Becky (Shane) Wallen, Alan (Tracie) Goodenberger, Jack (Maggie) Latta, and Katie (Christian) Farrell; great-grandchildren: Nolan Jackson; Gunner, Augustus and Mack Grandstaff; Lydia, Isabelle and Mia Knapp; Presley, Phillip and Theodore Goodenberger; Isaac, Grant and Harrison Goodenberger; Kayla, Michael, Trevor and Leah Wallen; Vincent Goodenberger; and Margo Farrell.

     Visitation will be held on Monday, August 3, 2026 from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. Family will be present to greet friends from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM.

     Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 AM on Tuesday morning, August 4, 2026 at Memorial Methodist Church in McCook. Burial will follow services.

     Memorials are suggested to the family of Phillip Goodenberger for future designation. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.