March 13, 1925 – May 24, 2000
Russell Allan Nutter was born March 13, 1925, in Washington County, Kansas to Walter & Catherine (Lindmeier) Nutter. Russ had one brother, Charles, and three sisters, Shirley, Phyllis and Joyce. The family moved from Kansas to the ranch east of Thedford in April 1936.
Russ left for the Navy on July 22, 1944, on the Burlington train #44. He trained as a Navy Radio Communications Operator in Los Angeles and served the commander of the South Pacific/American Samoa. He was also very proud of the fact that he was the light Weight Boxing Champion for the Navy while serving at Camp Waldron in Idaho. Russ returned to the Thedford ranch after receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy on July 27, 1946 as a Radioman Third Class.
September 1, 1949, Russ married Wanda Harris of Halsey and to this union 4 children were born, Connie Mark, Troy and Brad. Russ was a good neighbor and always more than willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help. He would always bring hitchhikers or stranded motorist home for Wanda to feed and fin them a bed if need be.
Russ took over the family ranch in 1954 and began to incorporate LImousin bulls in 1968. In the early 70’s, Russ and his son Brad raised sound Limousin bulls that complimented cattlemen’s programs. For many years buyers came to the ranch to purchase bulls.
Russ was an excellent horseman and broke a lot of horses. He loved rodeo competing in calf roping and steer wrestling. He won a saddle as the All-Around Cowboy at the Logan County Fair, a little money and lots of belt buckles (at last one or two for his 13 grandchildren.) Russ served the Nebraska State Rodeo Association for 2 years as President.
Russ was a member of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association, the National Limousin Association, the PRCA and the NARA. He also served the American Legion Post #230, the Selective Service Board, the Thedford Cemetery Board and the Thomas County Board of Education for 10 years.
Besides rodeo and running the ranch, Russ enjoyed town team basketball, rodeo practice at the ranch arena, coyote hunting with friends and during the cold winter months his passion was trapping beaver, muskrat and mink. During the summer he was an avid fisherman catching a 7-pound striped bass that earned him a master angler award June 1973.
Russ and Wanda decided in 1988 it was time to turn the ranch over to Mark, the oldest son, and move to Thedford. Russ never really retired because he drove to the ranch about every day giving Mark instructions on what needed to be done.
Russ was diagnosed with incurable cancer, Multiple Myeloma in June of 1998 and died at the age of 75 on May 24, 2000.