Richard Dale "Dick" Wilson Class (65)

 

Richard Dale “Dick” Wilson, 77, of Russell, Kansas, died on January 10, 2025 at his home in Russell.

Dick was born on February 16, 1947 in Hays, Kansas, the son of Dale R. and Lila May (Harshbarger) Wilson. Dick grew up in Russell, Bunker Hill, Luray and Paradise, Kansas areas. He graduated from Paradise High School and Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in vocational agriculture.

Dick taught at Natoma High School before returning to Kansas State University where he received a second bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then joined the United States Air Force where he had various duties but most notably worked as a missileer in a nuclear missile silo. Because of the long hours working in the missile silo, he participated in a program that allowed him to a get master’s degree. Dick served in the Air Force for 20 years and retired as a major.

After retiring from the Air Force, he returned to Russell where he helped his father at the salvage yard and also worked at a variety of jobs. He had a life-long love of cars and collected many over the years. He also loved to cook and started the holiday meals at the church for those that didn’t have family living close. He was happy to see that the serving of holiday meals had grown to serve the Russell community.

He was a driver’s education instructor for Wilson and Russell public schools and drove a school bus. He also worked as a funeral helper for several years with Russell Funeral Home in Russell, Kansas. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, the Mason’s and Elks Lodge.

Surviving family include his sister Carolyn Funk and husband Larry of St. George, Kansas; niece Lora Collins (Shane); great nieces Katherine, Michaela and Christine Collins of Chelsea, Alabama, and great nephew Garrison Funk of Syracuse, New York.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Bradley Funk.

Cremation was selected by the family.  A memorial service to celebrate Dick’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.  A graveside service will follow at the Russell City Cemetery with military honors.  The family will greet guests the day of the service.  Memorials may be given to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Dennis Albrecht (Class 1960)

 

Dennis Lee Albrecht, age 82, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Friday, February 14, 2025 at his home. 

Dennis was born May 7, 1942 at his home in Paradise, Kansas to Edward and Meta (Paulsen) Albrecht. 

Dennis grew up in the Paradise area and graduated from Paradise High School in 1960. He was married to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Donna (Schmidtberger) on July 7, 1963 in Paradise, Kansas. They made their home in Russell after marriage. The union was blessed with two daughters, Debra and Tamera.

Dennis attended trade school for a short time after graduating high school to become a mechanic, but decided to join the work force instead. He worked for Mack-Welling Lumber Company and Harry Hibschman (Chief Industries), both of Russell. He also volunteered for the Russell Volunteer Fire Department. Dennis eventually became a self-employed carpenter for many years until he went to work for the Street Department at the City of Russell in 1987. He retired from there in 2005.

Family was important to Dennis who enjoyed attending his kids and grandkids’ sporting events. Dennis and Donna were also avid motorcycle riders and took many trips on their Goldwing during their younger years. Dennis was very interested in the mountain man culture and history and was a founding member of the Russell Muzzle Loaders Club. He attended every black powder rendezvous he could get to. He often just went to socialize and most of the time, didn’t even shoot his gun. He also taught his grandsons to shoot black powder and was very proud of them. Dennis and Donna also traveled on many Vosh trips to Panama delivering eyeglasses to the needy.

He is survived by two daughters Debra Morris (Case), and Tamera Krause (Richard) both of Russell, four grandchildren, Coady Morris (KC) and Kale Morris (Elizabeth) both of Russell and Nathan Krause (Melissa) of Wichita, and Ryan Krause of Manhattan, and three great grandchildren, Noah & Benjamin Morris, and Wyatt Krause. He is preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, and three brothers, Donald, John and Gary Albrecht.

A celebration of Dennis’ life will be held at 11 AM on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell. A graveside service will be held at 2 PM on Friday at the Mt. Hermon Cemetery in Paradise, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 9 AM to 8 PM on Thursday at the mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM. 

Memorial contributions can be made to Russell Muzzle Loaders. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.