Russell Hicks, age 94, of Sac City, Iowa, formerly of Nemaha, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at his home in Sac City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 23rd, at the United Methodist Church in Nemaha, Iowa. Burial will be at the Nemaha Cemetery with military graveside rites by the V.F.W. Post No. 590 and American Legion Cantigny Post No. 195 of Sac City. The Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, with a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.

Russell was born on April 6, 1914 near Nemaha, Iowa, the son of Charles and Edna (Mooney) Hicks. He graduated from Delaware Township Consolidated School at Nemaha in 1932 and then earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Buena Vista College. From 1937 to 1942 Russell taught high school math and science classes and coached baseball and basketball at Ellsworth and Dike.

In June 1942 Russell enlisted in the Navy and had extended duty in the South and West Pacific. After his discharge as a Lieutenant (S.G.) in February 1946, he began farming west of Nemaha.

Russell married Zelma Richardson in Storm Lake, Iowa, in January of 1948. Two children were born to this union, Charles and Jan Kay. In 1965 he was appointed Sac County Assessor and served through 1985. After a long illness, Zelma died in July 1975. He married Lona Coats May 14, 1983. They made their home in Sac City.

Russell was a 75-year member of the Nemaha Methodist Church and a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Shriner's, Lions Club, Farm Bureau, Iowa Assessors Association, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He had served on the Nemaha School Board for many years, was a 4-H Leader and taught Sunday school.

He took pleasure in bowling, golfing, woodworking, and repairing bicycles for the Lions Christmas gifts for kids.

Survivors include his wife Lona; son Charles Hicks and wife Marjorie of Sarasota, Florida; daughter Jan K. Gustafson and husband Larry of Clear Lake, Iowa; step-children: Betty Shull of Sac City and William (Carla) Coats of Carroll; four grandchildren: Monica (Dave) Byrd and Maria Hicks, both of Chicago, Illinois and Dan (Karisa) Gustafson and Seth Gustafson, both of Clear Lake; six step grandchildren: Jerrod Shull, Eric (Melissa) Shull, and Gavin Shull all of Sac City, Allison (Phil) Jarquio of Warner-Robbins, Georgia, and Jill Coats and Bert Coats of Las Vegas, Nevada; great-granddaughter Gabriella Gustafson; step great-grandchildren: Phillip, Sabastian, and Vincent Jarquio, Elizabeth and Sarah Shull, Kyle and Victoria Shull, and Gage and Tarissa Shull; his sister Kathryn Parks of Early, Iowa; and extended family members.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents; wife Zelma; brother Theodore “Milt” Hicks and sister Arlene Coats.