Tom Russell
Thomas Dean Russell was born June 2, 1937, to Florence Helen (Holtz) and Howard Kenneth Russell at the family farm in rural Hamilton County, Nebraska, near Marquette. Tom died June 1, 2021, at the Country House Care Center in Kearney, Nebraska. He was 83 years of age.
He and his seven siblings attended the rural District 69 school until that building was moved to the Russell farmstead. The Russell children then attended the Marquette 1 R first consolidated school and high school in Marquette.
Tom enjoyed working with his family on the farm and also worked for the local ASCS office at the grain bin site. Tom honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1960-1962 and in the reserves until Dec. 5, 1966.
He farmed near Phillips, Nebraska, from 1964-1967 before moving his family to rural western Chase County, Nebraska, near Lamar. Tom farmed with his brother Bob for a time and was also in partnership with his sister Rosalie.
Like his father, Howard, Tom sold seed corn for Garst and Thomas, then Pioneer, before retiring as a Garst seed salesman. During his early years farming in Chase County, he also worked at Prior Implement with his good friends, Rudy and Doug Brandt.
Tom’s cattle operation and farming kept him busy, and as his seed business grew he ended the cattle operation, which allowed him time to travel. Tom and his family enjoyed traveling, taking numerous trips to South Dakota, Padre Island, Texas, Minnesota, Tennessee, Florida and California. Tom was very proud of the fact that he had visited all 50 states during his life.
Tom’s seed business provided him the opportunity to travel, and he hosted his parents, sister, daughters and niece on trips to Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Hawaii, just to name a few. Tom really enjoyed his annual deep-sea fishing trip to Loreto, Mexico, with some local friends from the Holyoke community, enjoying yellowtail and tuna fish and watching the dolphins, stingrays and gray whales. Tom was joined by his brother Melvyn one year, and they enjoyed the trip together with great stories to share.
Tom enjoyed farming, helping neighbors and being a part of the community. His hobbies included golf, leather tooling and hunting. Tom farmed for years with his daughters as he had given up on hiring a “hired man,” as they frequently disappeared to take naps in the shade.
Tom was never a man of many words. He expressed his love through his actions and could be found at music performances, ball games, track meets, 4-H and FFA, supporting his daughters and grandchildren at their activities.
Tom married Sharon W. Lackey in Sterling on April 28, 2000, and the couple settled on the farm near Lamar. Following Tom’s retirement from farming, he and Sharon made Imperial, Nebraska, their home. They enjoyed various trips across the country, frequently RVing from state to state visiting family and friends. Tom was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Tom is survived by his wife, Sharon of Imperial; daughter Kae Russell, granddaughter Jasmine Russell and great-granddaughter Kinley Russell-Lutt of Aurora, Nebraska; daughter Kristi and Steve McClung and granddaughters Kailin and Stephanie McClung of Big Springs, Nebraska; daughter Kerilyn and Bill Mersch and granddaughters Kelsey, Kylie and Kiersten Mersch of Aurora; stepson Steve and Regina Lackey, grandson Steven Lackey and granddaughter Samantha Lackey of Manteca, California; stepdaughter Chrissy Lackey-Hansen of McCook, Nebraska, grandsons Robert Engel of Grant, Nebraska, and Ryan Cockerill of McCook, and great-granddaughter Raelynn Engel of Grant; siblings, Beverly and Richard Gustafson of Aurora, Melvyn and Sylvia Russell of Gretna, Nebraska, Sandra and Wendell Mankin of Aurora, Karen McClure of Palmer, Nebraska, and Nancy and Larry McDonald of Aurora; sister-in-law, Darlene Russell of Grand Island, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Russell; sister, Rosalie Russell; brother-in-law, Dave McClure; and his daughters’ mother, Shirley Russell.
Funeral services were held June 14 at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial, with Pastor David Kahle officiating. Interment followed at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial, with full military honors.
A memorial in Tom’s memory has been suggested to the Imperial Ministerial Association.
Liewer Funeral Home in Imperial was entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com.