Russell Gaston

Russell S. Gaston, age 84, of Broken Bow, Nebraska died Friday July 10, 2015 at the Golden Living Care Home in Broken Bow. Funeral services will be held Wednesday July 15th, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Broken Bow, Ne. with Pastor Todd Karges officiating. Burial will be in the Minden Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. with Military honors. Visitation will be Tuesday July 14th 2015 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. A memorial will be established at a later date. Russell Stanley Gaston was born January 29, 1931 at Norman, Nebraska to Thomas and Merwie (Edson) Gaston. He was the youngest of six children, two brothers and three sisters. Russell attended grade school in Norman, Nebraska where his father was a rural mail carrier. Upon completion of grade school, he began high school in Minden, Nebraska. Being active in sports and not having a car, he and his brother, Robert, walked and hitchhiked the ten miles after football and basketball practice to their home in Norman. In 1946, his father died suddenly of a heart attack and his Mother moved their house to Minden, which alleviated the long trips each night. Russ was active in football and basketball at Minden High School, receiving many letters and conference honors. He also played American Legion Baseball. in 1949, he graduated from Minden High School and enrolled at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. In 1952, he was drafted into the Korean Conflict where he was in the Air Force Engineers unit. They built air strips for the air force in Korea. He was stationed at Camp Crowder, Missouri; Fort Eustis, Virginia; Pyong Tack, Korea. In January, 1954 he was discharged at Camp Carson, Colorado. He enrolled at Kearney State College in 1954, received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956 and his Master of Science degree in 1962. He received an Administrative Certificate for K-12; Nebraska Lifetime Professional Teaching Certificate, and Guidance Certification for K-12. August 21, 1955, he was united in marriage to Joann Lyden at Minden, Nebraska. In 1956 he began teaching and coaching at Belvidere, Nebraska. November 29, 1957 a daughter, Dianne Kay, was born and March 24, 1959 a son, Douglas Ben joined the family. He served in the field of education for twenty years; teaching, coaching, Principal and Superintendent at Belvidere, Campbell, Arapahoe, Litchfield, Newman Grove and Sargent, Nebraska. In 1975, the family moved to Lexington where we worked with insurance and the Dawson County Social Service before his retirement. In 1996 when he and his wife both retired, they moved to Broken Bow. In addition to helping at his son's business, they operated an antique shop from their home. He was active in local education associations, Nebraska State Education Association, National Education Association, a 68 year member of the United Methodist Church and member of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of American Legion for 50 years. Preceding him in death were his father, Thomas Sr; Mother, Merwie (Edson); brother, Thomas Jr; Sisters Ann, Mary and Barbara. Survivors are his wife, Joann of Broken Bow, Ne.; daughter, Dianne Norris and husband, Bill of Tacoma WA; son, Douglas, of Broken Bow; grandchildren, David Norris, Derek Gaston, Samantha Gaston and Rachel Gaston; brother Robert and wife Phyllis of Lincoln; sister-in-law, Phyllis Gaston of Norman; many nieces and nephews and friends. Russ Gaston-a Gentleman; first, last, and always.