Russell J. Penke, age 61 of Blair, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair.
Visitation with family receiving friends will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Campbell Aman Funeral Home. After the visitation, a gathering will be held at George’s Tavern in Blair.
Russell James Penke was born April 7, 1963, in Blair, Nebraska, the son of Herman and Sidney Penke. In 1990 Russ began dating Tonn Tolbert and on December 23, 1998, the couple were united in marriage in Blair. Russ was an excellent carpenter, and was known to many as a modern-day MacGyver that could fix anything. Russ had a deep love for motorcycles and loved going on road trips. When his girls were younger, he could always be found coaching and cheering for their softball teams.
He is survived by his daughters; Shay Penke and her significant other Edward Gartenmayer and Russ’s grandson Edward Jr., Raquell Penke and her fiancé Cale Caskey, and Phoenixx Penke, father Herman Penke, brother Reese Penke, father-in-law and mother-in-law Don and Susan Tolbert, sister-in-law Shonna Snow, nephew Devon Snow along with extended family and countless friends.
Russ was preceded in death by his wife Tonn and his mother Sidney.
In the lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Services by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair, NE. www.campbellaman.com
