Funeral Services for James L. Russell will be conducted on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor Murray Jones and Reverend Dr. Harold Berry officiating. Interment will be in the Orleans Cemetery at Orleans, Nebraska.

James Louis Russell, 94 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center at Holdrege. He was born on April 11, 1918, on the family farm in the Eldorado Township, southwest of Orleans in Harlan County, Nebraska, the fifth of six children born to Judson C. and Anna Mae (Coe) Russell. James grew up in Harlan County near Orleans, where he received his education from Harlan County District #60 School.

James was united in marriage to the love of his life, Evelyn Violet Sell, on July 16, 1939 and the couple made their home on a farm in Harlan County for 10 years, until moving to Omaha, Nebraska. James then attended The Omaha Bible Institute. Following his education the couple moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was employed by Back to the Bible for 25 years. In between working for Back to the Bible, James worked at the Russell-Stover Candy Company for 8 years as well. He helped start the First Evangelical Free Church in Lincoln, where he was the superintendent of the Sunday School Programs. In the 1950’s, Jim also helped found the Lincoln Christian School in Lincoln. Serving the community of Lincoln would occupy James’s time until his retirement. Upon retirement, James and Evelyn moved to Holdrege. They spent their free time traveling overseas with missionary work, traveling to Texas in the winters, and continuing to do his life’s passion, helping people. While in Texas, Jim and Evelyn helped establish and attended the Evangelical Free Church in McAllen.

James was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: Arthur Russell and his wife, Agnes and Jerold Russell and his wife, Estalene; three sisters: Elsie Randell and her husband, Leonard, Evelyn Bemis and her husband, Bob, and Doris Sell and her husband, Oliver “Stub” Sell.

Jim leaves to mourn his passing his wife of almost 73 years, Evelyn of Holdrege; one brother-in-law: Bill Sell of Holdrege; one sister-in-law, Elva Bushnell of Grants Pass, Oregon, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege. A memorial has been established in Jim’s memory and kindly suggested to the donor’s choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of arrangements.