Brett Toll was born August 13, 1973, in Hoxie, Kansas, to Lloyd and Linda (Schulte) Toll. He passed away at his home in Littleton, Colorado, December 8, 2023. Brett lived the first three and a half years of his life in Grinnell, Kansas before his dad was transferred for his work to Logan, which was a perfect place for Brett to spend his childhood.
From the beginning, Brett always loved the outdoors. He spent a lot of his childhood playing with his friends by the North Solomon River among the trees, trails, and some of the mill and other foundations from the earlier days of Logan. And the time spent on the Toll family farm near Morland further influenced who he became as an adult. Hunting, fishing, farm chores, and hiking with family members in the creeks surrounding the area guided his life.
Brett spent his grade and high school years in Logan, graduating from Logan High School in 1991. During that time, he became active in the Boy Scouts. Brett and his dad were partners, attending the various activities and events that make up the scouting program. With the support of his family, his troop leaders and members, and his tenacity, he attained the Eagle Scout rank. Brett was the sixteenth Eagle Scout from the Logan Boy Scout Troop 124.
While growing up, Brett attended St. John’s Catholic Church with his family. He received the sacraments, was an altar server and lector, and belonged to CYO. His Eagle Scout project was planting trees on the perimeter of the church property. After high school, Brett attended Kansas State University, graduating from the Kansas State School of Engineering. He thoroughly enjoyed his college years and was one of K-State football’s biggest fans.
After earning his college degree, he accepted a position with Francis Constructors, Inc. in Colorado. The company name was later changed to FCI Constructors, Inc., which is an employee-owned general contracting firm. When Brett passed away, he was a Project Manager for the company, working there for 26 years. With his strong work ethic Brett believed in doing a job well from the beginning to the end, and he liked to work.
Brett made some great friends in Denver who taught him the technicalities of mountain climbing. Being an avid outdoorsman, hiking and snow skiing as well as fishing and hunting were also passions of his. In 2003 he met the love of his life, Diann Schwartzkopf, through mutual family members. They had many things in common since they both came from small farming communities in Kansas. Their marriage ceremony was on Kansas Day, January 29, 2005, when they became partners for life.
Brett and Diann’s only child, Conrad, their pride and joy, was born May 29, 2012. From a very young age he was taken on fishing trips, hunting expeditions, hiking, and skiing, in the hope that he, too, would develop a love for the great outdoors. Conrad was encouraged by his parents in his scouting pursuits to follow in his dad’s path. Just recently he made the transition from Webelos to Boy Scouts; he’s learning the proper steps.
After Brett was diagnosed with neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma, he was doggedly determined to beat it. He fought his cancer for one and a half years with all that he had: prayers, sheer will, and the support of his wife, son, family, and friends.
Brett was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alan and Donna Toll and Virgil and Laverna Schulte; and his mother-in-law, Lolita Schwartzkopf. He is survived by his wife, Diann, and his son, Conrad, of the home; his parents, Lloyd and Linda Toll of Logan; his sister, Brooke Gunstrom and husband Jonathan, of Juneau, Alaska; his brother Trevor Toll, of Littleton; his father-in-law Herb Schwartzkopf, of Ransom; his brother-in-law, Mickey Schwartzkopf, wife Melanie, and daughters, Jocelyn and Sophia, of Edwardsville; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and good friends.
Brett was a loyal, faithful friend, a meticulous perfectionist, and a good family man. He played hard, but also worked hard. In essence, he considered himself a simple guy, a good Christian, who considered nature and the outdoors to be his cathedral.
Brett didn’t want fancy words spoken over him because he knew he wasn’t perfect. But everyone who knew him would agree that this passage from the Bible best describes his life. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” ~ 2 Timothy 4:7.
Burial will follow the Mass and luncheon at Morland City Cemetery, Morland Kansas