Donald Lee Russell, 85

Sutton, NE, resident Donald L. Russell, 85, passed away at his home in Sutton, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the Federated Church in Sutton, NE, with Pastor Edison Toe officiating. Interment will follow at the Sutton Cemetery in Sutton. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton, NE. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later. Don was born in Plainview, NE, on January 26, 1941, to Douglas and Leota (Harmon) Russell. He attended school in Plainview and graduated from Plainview High School in 1958. He then attended Wayne State College for two years. He was a member of the Dolphin Club, performing synchronized swimming and editor of the Wayne Stater college newspaper. While attending college, he met his wife of 65 years, Linda (Walker) Russell. They moved to Clearwater, NE, where he was the editor of the local paper. They then moved to Kimball, NE, where he was an ad salesman for the Western Nebraska Observer. Thirteen years later, they bought the Clay County News. Don enjoyed writing a weekly editorial, many times embarrassing his wife and kids. He was elected President of the Nebraska Press Association in 1996 and was awarded a lifetime membership in 2016. He also received the prestigious Master Editor-Publisher Award in 2012. He was a member of the National Press Association, which gave Don and Linda the opportunity to travel extensively. They spent time in Russia, China, Turkey, Cuba, Vietnam, Costa Rica and many other countries. Don was a Boy Scout from the time you could be in Cub Scouts. He went up the ranks until he earned his Eagle Scout badge. He was a Boy Scout Master and received the Silver Beaver Award for his long-term commitment as a Scout Leader. He spent many summers working at Boy Scout Camps; Camp Augustine in Nebraska, Camp Laramie Peak in Wyoming and Camp Ben Delatour in Colorado. Don was a teammate mentor at the Sutton Public Schools for over 20 years. He was a member of the Sutton Federated Church, involved in United Methodist Men, and participated in mission trips to Louisiana. He also served as treasurer for Sutton Community Foundation and Sutton Lions Club. He was a well-recognized member of the Sutton Community and other communities in Clay County. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bobby and son-in-law Dave Autrey. He is survived by his wife Linda of Sutton; his 4 children, LeeAnn Gray of Laramie, WY; Chellie Autrey of Kimball, NE; Danny Russell and his wife Janine of Sutton, NE; and Marc Russell and his wife Monica of Saronville, NE; 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and sister, Norma Richling and her husband Pete of Phillips, NE.

Tributes

Donald Lee Russell, 85

January 26, 1941 - July 15, 2026