Russell Hopkins

Russell Lee Hopkins was born August 18, 1930 in Columbus, Nebraska to Francis and Molly (Raric) Hopkins. He grew up in rural Bellwood. Russ served in the United States Army during the Korean War from February 26, 1953 until February 4, 1955. He also served in the Army Reserves. He married Lula Kinzer on August 1, 1951. Russ enjoyed hunting, trapshooting and having coffee every Saturday morning with his life long friends. He pitched fast pitch softball in several leagues until he retired from competition at the age of fifty. Some of his hobbies included raising exotic birds and animals, training and racing homing pigeons. He worked at Saunders Archery for 27 years and at Henke Mfg. until his retirement. He also worked part time at Fleisher manufacturing when they required his services. As an avid sportsman he was able to take Roy Rogers coon hunting with his hounds. He was featured in an article in Sports Afield shooting flying ducks with a bow and arrows. Great-Papa enjoyed any time spent with his daughters, grandkids and great grandkids.

Russ is survived by:
Wife: Lu Hopkins of Bellwood, NE
Daughter: Sandy (Russ) Stracke of Wayne, NE
Daughter: Karen Reed of Columbus, NE
Sisters: Orletha of David City, Anita of Columbus, Nancy of Columbus
5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Lisa Sliva and brother Boyd.