Sara Wilke
Russ and I were friends from elementary through high school. We rode the bus together to school for years, bouncing in the back seats as we went over the canal bridge just south of his driveway. We were 2 of four in our Sunday School and Confirmation class at Hope Lutheran, and enjoyed visiting an elderly lady at Bethphage Home nearby. We refined our use of English in classes taught by Mrs. Carlson and Mrs. Dannehl, learned to type without looking at the keys (Russ was the fastest in our class!) in Mr Stine's class, and enjoyed singing in various choirs and ensembles (he had an incredible voice) and acted small parts in the school plays (having the most fun being goofy with everyone behind stage). I have fond memories of cruising Main Street in Bertrand and the ones in Holdrege. Russ was a devoted friend with a phenomenal voice and a great laugh. I last spoke to him when he called me when I was recovering from a serious automobile accident showing what a good guy he was...I wish I would have reached out again. You are missed, Russ!