Russell Lee Pope

Russell “Rusty” Lee Pope, 49, passed away on June 20, 2014, at his home in Hoxie, Kansas. He was born to Robert and Sharon (Greenberg) Pope on September 20, 1964, in Oberlin, Kansas. He married Linda Lynette Weis on May 5, 1984, at the Immaculate Conception Church, in Leoville, Kansas. Russ and Linda had four children, Christopher, Cody, Mitchell, and Megan. Russ attended school in Hoxie and graduated from Hoxie High School with the class of 1983. Russ was a hardworking man. He was great at designing and building just about anything a person needed. He enjoyed spending time in his shop and working with his sons, and Megan was always daddy’s little girl. But of all the work he did, he especially appreciated working on the farm and working the land. When Russ was in the middle of the field cutting wheat, he would say, “This is fun!” Indeed, working the land and plowing the fields with Lenny was never work for Russ, but pure joy. The most important things in Russ’s life were his wife, children and grandchildren. Russ spent all of his spare time with his grandchildren. He was their idol. He liked to take his children hunting and fishing, but he constantly told them that they would not be allowed to fish if they couldn’t bait their own hooks. They all learned to bait their own hook! He was so proud of his family and loved and cherished each and every one of them. Russ is survived by his wife Linda of the home; sons, Christopher Pope and wife Tara of Hoxie, Cody Pope, Hoxie and Mitchell Pope of Manhattan; daughter, Megan Felder and husband Michael of Hays; grandchildren, Corbin Pope, Chloe Pope, and Dice Felder; parents, Robert Pope and wife Julie of Grinnell, and Sharon Pope, of Mankato; and sisters, Kari Murray of Mankato, Kansas and Lisa Winter of Topeka. Russ was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lawrence “Bud” and Thersa Pope, and George and Graycee Greenberg. Russ was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. Through hard work, dedication, and love, he taught us how to enjoy life, live right, and take care of one another. Russ loved greatly and was greatly loved. He will be greatly missed.