Russell J. Gentrup, age 56, of Shattuc, Illinois

Russell J. Gentrup, age 56, of Shattuc, Illinois
January 7, 1965 - January 4, 2022

Russell J. Gentrup, age 56, of Shattuc, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chesterfield, MO. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Beemer, NE with Fr. Vincent Sunguti as celebrant.  Interment will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Beemer American Legion Hall.  Visitation will be on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church and will continue one hour prior to the service.  Minnick Funeral Home in West Point is assisting the family.

Russell Joseph Gentrup was born on January 7, 1965 in West Point, NE to Fred and Dorothy (Bracht) Gentrup.  He graduated from West Point Central Catholic in 1983 and received an Associate Degree from Northeast Community College in Auto Body.  Russell worked for Norfolk Iron and Metal for 2 years before working for Copper Inc. as a foreman repairing railroad bridges.  He helped repair a railroad bridge in all 50 states and was tasked with keeping the 7 mile bridge at St. Louis, MO in operation.

Russell enjoyed fast cars, especially his Corvettes.  He enjoyed driving around the areas of the different job sites he was on.  He loved to attempt anything that was daring.  Russell was currently working on obtaining his pilot’s license.

Survivors include-
Father-Fred Gentrup of Beemer, NE
Brother-Mike Gentrup of Beemer, NE
Sister-Joyce and Jeff Wangen of Rapid City, SD and children-Kaden, Nate, and Xavier
Brother-Gerald and Fran Gentrup of Wisner, NE
Sister-Janet and Tim Diedrichsen of Lincoln, NE and children-Tyler and Sara
Brother-Roger and Nicole Gentrup of Albion, NE and children-Derek (Sarah), Dylan, and Sophia

Russell was preceded in death by his mother-Dorothy Gentrup.