In Memory Of
Russell Ivan Koci
1931
2023
Russell Ivan Koci
August 1, 1931 — March 26, 2023
Russell Ivan Koci, 91, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2023.
He was born August 1, 1931, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Dewey J. and Mildred A. (Whitten) Koci. He was a 1949 graduate of Auburn High School, Auburn, Kansas. He served in the United States Navy from May 1952, serving on the USS Diphda, until being honorably discharged in May of 1956.
Russell was employed by Martin Tractor Company later becoming a machinist by trade working for Bracket Stripping and later for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company retiring as a supervisor in 1992.
He was a member of Auburn Presbyterian Church, the Auburn Masonic Lodge No. 32, A.F. & A.M., receiving his 60 year certificate. He also served on the Auburn Township Board and assisted the National Weather Service in Topeka for 14 years.
Russell married Jessie Lou Shane on November 8, 1953 in Topeka. She survives in Topeka. Other survivors include two children, Jeffrey (Barbara) Koci of Topeka and Tamara (Michael) Hampton of Auburn, KS; seven grandchildren, Shane (Darci) Koci of Auburn, Jeremy (Meaghan) Koci of Bel Aire, KS, Ryan (Amy) Koci of Stilwell, KS, Jessie (Tyler) Lambrecht of Topeka, Heather (Bud) Maxon of Odessa, MO, Paige (Jacob) Wagner of Enid, OK and Eric (Hajar) Hampton of Oak Forrest, IL; two step-grandchildren, Brian Hoover of Kansas City, MO and Kelli (Bret) Penninger of Chicago, IL; 16 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; his brother, Virgil Koci of Topeka his sister, Gertrude (Donald) Bidwell of Auburn, KS; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Eugene Koci, Marjorie Koci, Allen Koci, Doris Garcia and Max Koci.
Russell loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed his time farming, raising cattle, bailing hay, gardening, restoring many Allis Chalmers tractors and could fix anything. He always participated in the Auburn Community Fair, enjoyed the "Auburn Wind Tunnel" and Sunday night pizza.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 3, 2023 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, KS.
Russell's services will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Auburn Presbyterian Church, 1101 N. Washington St, Auburn, KS 66402 or Russell Koci Skilled Trade Scholarship: https://bold.org/scholarships/russell-koci-skilled-trade-scholarship/.
To leave a special message for Russell's family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born August 1, 1931, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Dewey J. and Mildred A. (Whitten) Koci. He was a 1949 graduate of Auburn High School, Auburn, Kansas. He served in the United States Navy from May 1952, serving on the USS Diphda, until being honorably discharged in May of 1956.
Russell was employed by Martin Tractor Company later becoming a machinist by trade working for Bracket Stripping and later for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company retiring as a supervisor in 1992.
He was a member of Auburn Presbyterian Church, the Auburn Masonic Lodge No. 32, A.F. & A.M., receiving his 60 year certificate. He also served on the Auburn Township Board and assisted the National Weather Service in Topeka for 14 years.
Russell married Jessie Lou Shane on November 8, 1953 in Topeka. She survives in Topeka. Other survivors include two children, Jeffrey (Barbara) Koci of Topeka and Tamara (Michael) Hampton of Auburn, KS; seven grandchildren, Shane (Darci) Koci of Auburn, Jeremy (Meaghan) Koci of Bel Aire, KS, Ryan (Amy) Koci of Stilwell, KS, Jessie (Tyler) Lambrecht of Topeka, Heather (Bud) Maxon of Odessa, MO, Paige (Jacob) Wagner of Enid, OK and Eric (Hajar) Hampton of Oak Forrest, IL; two step-grandchildren, Brian Hoover of Kansas City, MO and Kelli (Bret) Penninger of Chicago, IL; 16 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; his brother, Virgil Koci of Topeka his sister, Gertrude (Donald) Bidwell of Auburn, KS; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Eugene Koci, Marjorie Koci, Allen Koci, Doris Garcia and Max Koci.
Russell loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed his time farming, raising cattle, bailing hay, gardening, restoring many Allis Chalmers tractors and could fix anything. He always participated in the Auburn Community Fair, enjoyed the "Auburn Wind Tunnel" and Sunday night pizza.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 3, 2023 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, KS.
Russell's services will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Auburn Presbyterian Church, 1101 N. Washington St, Auburn, KS 66402 or Russell Koci Skilled Trade Scholarship: https://bold.org/scholarships/russell-koci-skilled-trade-scholarship/.
To leave a special message for Russell's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Russell Ivan Koci, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, April 2, 2023
3:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
Service
Monday, April 3, 2023
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
Guestbook
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