Russell Robert Kinzer, 88, of Colome, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory after a brief struggle with cancer.
Funeral services were held April 23 at the Berean Church in Gregory. Burial followed at the Colome Cemetery.
Russell was born at the farmhouse south of Colome on Sept. 3, 1933, to Joseph (Vern) and Ernestine (Delfs) Kinzer. In his early years, he enjoyed spearfishing (with pitch forks), playing baseball and hunting around the family homestead on the Buttes, along with his dad and brothers.
He boarded with his grandparents in Colome while attending high school where his enthusiasm for sports broadened to basketball and football. High school is also where he met Marjorie and where their romance blossomed. During his high school years, he was fond of attending youth group where he placed his trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior.
Russell graduated from Colome High School in 1951, where his motto in the yearbook was “There’s never a dull moment when he’s around.”
On March 1, 1953, Russell was united in marriage to Marjorie Farris. Through this union seven children were born. After living in Lake Andes and Kimball where he worked in and eventually managed a Buches grocery store, he moved the family in 1959 to the Kinzer farm, making him a third generation farmer. Here he raised various types of livestock, farmed, and managed a dairy.
During his lifetime he served on the Highland District #57 School Board, Colome School Board, and Stewart Township Board. Russell also served as Corporal in the South Dakota Army National Guard.
Russell enjoyed coaching, watching his children and grandchildren play sports, and the occasional weekend golf game. He found pleasure in gathering to play cards with family and friends. His church family was also important to him and he faithfully attended services on Sunday.
He is survived by seven children: David and Kathy (Hermsen) Kinzer of Tea, SD; Vickie Fastnacht of Olathe, KS; Cindy and Ken Lenker of Tulsa, OK; Debbie and Glenn Johnson of Alliance, NE; Mark Kinzer of Colome; Tammy and Scot Beaird of Olathe, KS; and Craig Kinzer of Las Vegas, NV; 26 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren; two sisters Jeannine Johnson of Des Moines, IA, and Diana Syfie of Ainsworth, NE; and one brother, Darol Kinzer of San Diego, CA; sister-in-law Carolyn Musilek and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Marjorie (Farris); his parents and parents-in-law, Martin and Mattie (Hopkins) Farris; his brother and sister-in-law Ronald and Evelyn (Simons) Kinzer; his brother-in-law, Walt Johnson; his sister and brother-in-law, Leila and Kenneth Adams; his sister-in-law Erna (Kahler) Kinzer; his brother-in-law, George Syfie; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Arold and Rosie Farris; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leslie and Fern Farris; and his brother-in-law, Lyle Musilek.
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