Tom E. Russell, 83, of Kearney, died Monday, February 4, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Services will be Monday, February 11, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church. Rev. Michelle Reed will officiate. Burial will follow at Kearney Cemetery with Military Rites by the Kearney American Legion Post #52, Kearney V.F.W. Post #759 and the United States Navy Funeral Honors Team. Family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to the National Alzheimer’s Association or the American Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. A message of condolence, tribute or memory can be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com . Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services of Kearney are in charge of arrangements.

Tom was born on November 5, 1929 in Curtis, NE to Ben E. and Ellen M. (Jenson) Russell. He graduated from Curtis High School with the class of 1947. Tom enlisted in the United States Navy in 1948 and served his country until being honorably discharged in 1952. He served on the “Grand Canyon” as radio operator for 4 years. He married Virginia M. Rowley in Curtis, NE on January 1, 1953. The couple resided in Curtis until 1958 when they moved to Kearney. Tom enjoyed a career with the Nebraska Public Power Company first as a High Voltage Lineman and later as a dispatcher. He retired from the power company in 1989. He was a member of the Faith United Methodist church in Kearney and also the Kearney V.F.W. where he served on the funeral honors team for over 25 years. He was also an active member of the Kearney IOOF Lodge and served as Secretary. He later served as Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment from 1996-1997. Tom enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting, camping and football. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Surviving relatives include his Son, Dennis Russell and his wife Katherine of Poulsbo, WA; Daughter, Sheri Hladky and her husband John of St. Marys, KS; Daughter, Becky Mercer and her husband Scott, of Gibbon, NE; Brother, Raymond Russell and his wife Donna of Denver, CO; Sister, Anna May Gourley of Mt. Airy, NC; Sister-In-Law, Darlene Russell of Curtis, NE.

8 Grandchildren, 10 Great Grandchildren

Tom was preceded in death by his Wife, Virginia; 2 Brothers; 3 Sisters and 1 Grandson, Josh Bryant


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