Shirley Ellen Russell

April 15, 1937 - June 10, 2014

Shirley E. Russell, 77, of Aurora, NE died Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 14, 2014, at 10:00 A.M. at Messiah Lutheran Church in Aurora with Pastor Sheryl Kester Beyer officiating. Burial will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, June 13, from 5-7 P.M. at Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Shirley Ellen Russell, daughter of Burton Hiram and Clara Pauline (Erickson) Jacobson, was born in Humboldt County, IA on April 15, 1937. She grew up and attended Gilmore City High School where she enjoyed playing basketball, being a cheerleader, and playing the drums. She was united in marriage to Thomas D. Russell in Aurora and they moved near Phillips to farm until 1967 when they moved to Lamar, NE to farm and raise their family. Shirley was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Aurora, Teammates, SCORE, and a board member of the Hamilton County Food Pantry. She enjoyed playing softball in the early years in Hampton, gardening, helping run the farm, playing cards, dancing, volunteering, and following her children and grandchildren’s activities. Survivors include her three daughters and sons-in-laws, Kae Russell of Aurora, NE; Kristi and Steve McClung of Big Springs, NE; Kerilyn and Bill Mersch of Aurora, NE, granddaughters, Kiersten, Kylie, and Kelsey Mersch of Aurora, NE; Stephanie and Kailin McClung of Big Springs, NE; and Jasmine Russell of Aurora, NE, a great-granddaughter, Kinley Russell also of Aurora, NE, brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe and Floy Jacobson of Lee’s Summit, MO; Earl and Mardell Jacobson of Waseca, MN; Gary Jacobson of Rochester, MN, and many nieces, nephews, family members, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Don and Arlo Jacobson, one sister, Norma (Jacobson) Klute, three nephews and two nieces, sisters-in-law, Connie and Betty Jacobson, brother-in-law, Art Klute, and her in-laws, Howard and Florence Russell. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Hamilton County Food Pantry or Hamilton County Cancer Fund and condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home website, www.wagnerfuneral.com. Music: Pianist: Connie Nicklasson Soloist: Erik Jacobson – “Amazing Grace” Congregational Hymns – “Borning Cry”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “The Old Rugged Cross” Pallbearers: Bill Mersch, Steve McClung, Richard Jacobson, John Jacobson, Erik Jacobson, and Rick Gustafson .