Samuel E. Russell

June 2, 1950 - September 17, 2015

Samuel E. Russell, 65, of Clarks, Nebraska died Thursday, September 17, 2015 at the Nebraska Veterans Medical Center in Grand Island, NE. Funeral services will be Thursday, September 24, 2015 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Clarks, Nebraska at 10 A.M. With Father Richard Whiting officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 23, 2015 from 5 to 7 P.M. With a 7 P.M. Rosary at the church, followed by a gathering for Family and Friends at the VFW in Clarks. Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Sam was born on June 2, 1950 to Alexander and Dorothy (Poston) Russell in Alliance, Nebraska. Sam’s father worked for the railroad, so Sam grew up along the Burlington Northern Railroad out west. He attended Deadwood High School. Sam then entered the United States Army and headed to Vietnam after high school. After Vietnam, Sam returned and worked for the BLM Sargent Irrigation District on the irrigation canal. Sam then met Sharon Dickey and they were married on July 15, 1972 in Loveland, Colorado. He then returned to the Army where he served a total of 23 ½ years. After his military career, Sam attended college in Grand Island, NE and Reno, NV for Hydraulic Engineering. Sam and Sharon then moved back to Nebraska where Sam worked various jobs including Atlantic Homes until it closed. He then worked as the DAV Hospital Coordinator for 5 years until retiring. Sam was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Clarks. He was also a Life-Member of the VFW in Clarks and the DAV in Grand Island. He was also a member of the American Legion in Silver Creek, Nebraska. Sam was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hunting and fishing. While serving in Germany he became a German Jäger (hunter). He is survived by his wife Sharon of Clarks, NE; two sons- Christopher (Starlin) Russell of Soldotna, AK; and Patrick (Beth) Russell of Lakewood WA; one brother – Willie Russell of Loveland, CO; and one sister – Connie (Wayne) Moody of Lusk, WY; 3 grandchildren – Connor Russell of West Point, NY; Courtney Russell of Clarks, NE; and Zachary Russell of Lakewood, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother – Alex, three sisters – Ann Simmonds, Georgia Holland, and Betty Parker.