Loren E. Russell, 74, Lansing, died Saturday, December 12, 2020 at Providence Medical Center.

Mr. Russell was born January 10, 1946 at Cushing Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas, the son of Rillis and Lorena Russell, of Lansing. He was married to Sharon Harrison for 56 years; she survives in the home.

Loren lived a life of community service.  He coached recreational youth baseball for both his boys and was influential in the establishment of several parks and recreation programs in Lansing. Notably, he was instrumental in helping to establish the first baseball field complex in Lansing.

He mentored many youths in the Scouting programs of local Pack 3165 and Troop 165.  Not only did he serve locally, he also volunteered in the region leading the Kaw District roundtable of leaders and coordinating the Kaw District Cub Scout Day camp. He continued working in scouting programs long past the participation of his own sons.

He was a deacon and long-time member of the then Bethel Baptist Church.  During that tenure, Loren taught Sunday school at the Lansing Correctional facility, as well as serving in many other church ministries.

Loren was elected and served on the Lansing City Council in the late 70's and served as the Mayor for a short period of time. After his City Council tenure, he was elected to a seat on the Lansing Board of Education where he served as board member and President for two terms. He was awarded a lifetime appreciation pass to USD 469 events for his work within the district.

Loren had an amazing passion for his Lansing High School alma mater (Class of '64) and served for years with the Lansing High School Alumni Association. He was instrumental in establishing and maintaining the database of all LHS alumni and developing the original alumni association website.

And as if Loren did not have enough on his plate, he faithfully served in the Lansing Lions Club for nearly 50 years and was awarded the Melvin Jones fellowship award for dedicated humanitarian services to Lions Clubs International.  Loren advocated for the Kansas Lions State Band and personally transported student musicians to the program during many years of his tenure.

Professionally, Loren was an insurance agent who owned his own independent agency in Lansing.  He prided himself on providing the best possible customer service for his clients.  During a career that spanned over 45 years, Loren was consistently recognized professionally for being a top producing agent for several of the companies that he represented.

In addition to his wife, Loren is survived by two sons, Harland T. (Tammy) Russell, Lansing, and Brandon J. (Melissa) Russell, Columbia, Missouri; five grandchildren, Kristyn (Jesse) McConnell, Derik Russell, Lauren (Christian) Loehner, Joshua Russell, Hannah Russell; and one great granddaughter, Ihla Loehner. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and three sisters.

Visitation will be held 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, December 20 and the funeral will be held 12:30 p.m. Monday, December 21 , both at Davis Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth. The service will be livestreamed on the Davis Funeral Chapel Facebook webpage. Burial will immediately follow at Sunset Memory Gardens, Leavenworth.