Russel Kohlscheen

Russ Kohlscheen, 80, of Hewitt, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at his residence.  He will be lovingly remembered as “Dad” and “Grandpa,” and friends and family from Texas to Nebraska will also remember him with great affection.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 140 Prairie Chapel Road, in Crawford.

Born March 23, 1939 to Donald William Kohlscheen and Bernice Klein Kohlscheen, Russ grew up on a farm near Pleasanton, Nebraska. Along with brother, Darrel and sister, Gwen, he attended Pleasanton Valley Country School through eighth grade, and graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1957. After graduation, Russ attended Business School in Omaha and began serving in the Nebraska National Guard.

His many years of employment in the car industry began at Kizzers Chevrolet in Kearney, Nebraska in 1960. While there he became a member of BAM, an association for GM Business Accounting Managers.

Dear friends introduced Russ to Joan Jelkin at a dance hall in Kearney, and they married in 1961 in her hometown of Hildreth. Settling in Kearney, Russ and Joan were blessed with two children, Bob and Julie.

Through the years, Russ loved watching and supporting Bob in wrestling and football, and Julie in dance and swimming. Awards from GM allowed Russ and Joan to enjoy unforgettable trips to Egypt and the Caribbean.

In 1985, Russ left Kizzier Chevrolet and moved with his family to Waco where he worked for Steakley Chevrolet, which later became Allen Samuels Chevrolet.

He continued to support his children’s activities and was active in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, where he performed in the bell choir.

Russ retired from Allen Samuels in 2005 and began many years of loving, supporting and helping care for grandchildren Joani and Seth, Sarena and Jacen, and Wytten. He attended baseball, softball and football games and powerlifting meets for many years, provided transportation to school and camps, and cooked numerous meals.

His grandchildren were truly his pride and joy in life. He also enjoyed Nebraska football and the Baylor Lady Bears, and was an avid fan of both. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Crawford.

Russ was preceded in death by his father, Donald William Kohlscheen; his mother, Bernice Moberg; his stepfather, Charles Moberg; his wife, Joan Jelkin Kohlscheen; brother, Darrel Kohlscheen; sister, Gwen Kohlscheen Anderson; and daughter, Julie Kohlscheen Woodliff.

He is survived by his son, Bob Kohlscheen, his daughter-in-law, Jodi Jones Kohlscheen; grandchildren, Joani and Seth, all of Crawford; and grandchildren, Sarina and Jacen Guerra and Wytten Woodliff all of Hewitt.