Russell Kent Lichtenwalter

Russell “Kent” Lichtenwalter died on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at The Heritage at Sagewood in Grand Island, NE. A Memorial service will be at Third City Christian Church, 4100 W 13th St. Grand Island, NE 68803, on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 10 A.M. with Pastor Scott Jones officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 P.M. in the Cozad Cemetery. A Gathering of Friends and Family will be from 5-7 P.M. on Monday, November 13, 2023, at Apfel Funeral Home, 1123 W. 2^nd St. Grand Island, NE 68801.

Kent was born near Cozad, Nebraska at the home of his grandparents, Frank and Cecil Koch, on November 4, 1936, to Russell Coleman and Helen Joyce Koch Lichtenwalter.

He received his education through 10^th grade in Cozad, then moved to Lexington, Nebraska – graduating from Lexington High School in 1955.

Kent married Carolyn Colleen Anderson in Cozad, Nebraska on July 14, 1957. Three children: David Russell, Bruce Eugene, and Barbara Anne blessed this union.

After farming for 10 years north of Cozad, the decision was made to move to Manhattan, Kansas. Kent enrolled at Kansas State University and graduated in 1970 with a degree in Animal Science and Agriculture. For the next 12 years he managed Farm Co-Ops in Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma.

Kent and his wife Carolyn moved to Grand Island, Nebraska in 1982, when he became a “Long-haul over the road truck driver.”

He loved golfing, bowling, singing, helping others, and spending time with his family.

Kent is survived by his wife, Carolyn; son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Jan Lichtenwalter of Waterford, CT; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and David Unruh of Clarksville, TN; family friend Emily Lively of Woodward, OK.; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; sister, Peggy Anne Sumption of Lincoln, NE; and cousin, Donna June Zigler of Phillips, NE.

He is preceded in death by his son, David Russell Lichtenwalter; parents; and grandparents.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.