Russell E. Meyer

Russell E. Meyer, 93, of Minden, passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society – St. John’s in Kearney. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 6, 2025 at Fredericksburg Lutheran Church, south of Minden, with Rev. Donald Hunzeker and PMA Julie Schmidt officiating. Interment will be held later that day at 2:00 p.m. at the Minden Cemetery with military honors presented by Minden American Legion and Heartwell Veterans of Foreign Wars in conjunction with United States Air Force Funeral Honors Team. Visitation with family present will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Memorials in Russ’ honor are kindly suggested to Fredericksburg Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg Lutheran Cemetery, or to Bethany Home in Minden. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Russell “Russ” Eldon Meyer was born November 16, 1931 on the family farm near Norman, NE to Carl and Mildred (Petersen) Meyer. He was the second of eight children. He attended a one room country school, Snowflake elementary, before finishing his education and graduating from Minden High School in 1950. After high school, Russ enlisted in the Air Force where he was the base commander’s personal mechanic and was instrumental in the transition from prop to jet engine aircraft. While on leave in Maine he met his future wife, Polly. Russ and Polly Ann Reidy were married Dec. 24, 1951 in Bangor, Maine. To this union 5 children were born: Lois, Michael, Peter, Susan and Barbara. After his time in the service, they made their home in Minden, where Russ farmed. Except for a short time when they lived in Maine where Russ worked for Weber Oil and Grants Dairy. Together they owned and operated The Circle Inn Drive Through. They eventually moved back to Minden where Russ farmed until his retirement in 1998. Russ married Karen Johnson Oct. 23, 1999 in Minden and gained a stepdaughter, Sharon Johnson. Russ and Karen enjoyed their time together taking bus trips, traveling, playing cards with friends and doing puzzles. Russ was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, a member of The American Legion, Elks Club, Lions Club and Good Fellows for many years. Russ always enjoyed farming with the help of his kids and grandkids, his horseback riding trips in the mountains of Colorado with his brother, friends, sons and nephew, tinkering with his old International Harvester tractors and working on his stained-glass houses. He will always be remembered for his uncanny ability to build, patch or repair anything with bailing wire and duct tape. Russ was preceded in death by his wife Polly; sister and brother-in-law, Marian and Mark Binderup; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dr. Marvin and Sonja Meyer and Stanley and Sheila Meyer; brothers, Carl (Kendall) Meyer and infant brother Raymond Meyer; nephew, Bob Binderup; granddaughter, Lila Meyer; and grandson Andrew Meyer. Russ is survived by his wife, Karen Meyer; children, Lois (Dr. Tom) Christensen, Dr. Michael (Cindy) Meyer, Dr. Peter (Tracy) Meyer, Susan Meyer, and Barbara (Chris) Andersen; stepdaughter, Sharon Johnson; sisters, Eleanor (Dr. Phil) Etzelmiller and Linda (Ralph) Layton; sister-in-law, Edna Meyer; grandchildren, Philip Christensen, Justin (Kelsey) Christensen, Russell (Christine) Meyer, Jasmine Meyer, Peter Meyer, Laura Meyer, Spencer (Dr. Brittany) Meyer, Logan Meyer, Dawson Meyer, Carter Meyer, Campbell Meyer, Michael Bienhoff, Kathrine (Aaron) Rewinkel, Keisha (Brett) Fries, Danielle (Chris) Nathe, Sarah Franks and Lindsay Johnson.; great-grandchildren, Roxie Christensen, Carson McCune, Brock Christensen, Rebecca and Charlotte Meyer, Kelsey Meyer, Mazikeen and Remington Meyer, Brayden Jarosz, Hunter Rewinkel, London and Kellen Fries, Reidy and Camden Nathe, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended relatives and friends. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Russell E. Meyer

November 16, 1931 - October 1, 2025