Russ Warner, 51, of Ord, Nebraska, died on Monday, December 12, 2022 in his home.
To honor Russ’ wishes, a memorial service will be held in the future, casting his ashes over his favorite spot in the Wyoming Rockies. Details will be provided at a later date.
Ord Memorial Chapel is handling the arrangements. www.ordmemorialchapel.com
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be designated to:
Valley County Fire & Rescue; Ord, Nebraska
Banner County Fire & Rescue; Harrisburg, Nebraska
Wheatland Fire-Rescue; Wheatland, Wyoming
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JRDF)
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Foundation (LGS Foundation)
Condolences may be sent to the Warner Family at 405 North 17th Street, Ord, NE 68862.
The family would like to express their appreciation to everyone who helped with rescue calls, and for their compassionate service.
Russell Keith Warner was born November 22, 1971. Russ was the first of three children born to Randall and Paula (Williams) Warner. Joined by sisters, Autumn and Anne, the Warners first made their home in Morrill, Nebraska, then moved to Banner County, Nebraska. Russ graduated from Banner County High School in 1990, then attended Eastern Wyoming College and Western Nebraska Community College.
While having a fun childhood in Morrill, one of Russ’ favorite adventures was to visit the Warner family ranch in Banner County. When Russ was in fifth grade, the Warner family moved permanently onto the ranch. He thrived in the outdoors, contributing greatly to the daily operations. Russ’ favorite part of rural life was farming.
Like everyone in the Hull neighborhood, Russ cherished the little Methodist church that stood at the center of the community. Halloween parties, playing ditch ‘em in the cemetery across the road, and darting through barns and corrals of neighboring ranches during youth group meetings marked his childhood, alongside the others of the tight-knit community.
Always a lover of the Cowboy State, Russ lived in Wheatland, Wyoming for the majority of his adult life. Russ had a passion for tractors, equipment, and trucks. His eyes brightened at the mention of semi-trucks, and there was not a machine he couldn’t operate. He spent many years driving truck on the open roads. He loved seeing the sights across the United States and spoke of them often. While in Wyoming, Russ established a beloved circle of friends, adding to his many friends from the Nebraska panhandle. Time and space has not dulled their memories of him.
He also held much pride for his family. His sisters meant the world to him and he cherished his nieces and nephew. Russ held unconditional love for his parents. The support they gave him touched him deeply, and he was forever grateful.
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age three, Russ navigated the difficulties of the disease his entire life. Russ succumbed to the complications of the disease.
Russ is survived by his parents, Randall and Paula Warner of Ord, Nebraska; sisters, Autumn Kowalski of Kearney, Nebraska and Anne Elizabeth Terry (Philip Kurrus) of St. Louis, Missouri; niece and nephew, Faith and Patrick Grant Kowalski of Kearney, Nebraska; and niece, Spencer Terry of St. Louis, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; as well as his brother-in-law, Patrick Kowalski.