Arlene D. Hamel, 87, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, June 02, 2024, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.
Arlene was born on August 10, 1936, in Clyde, Kansas, the daughter of Harvey E. & Marie Rose (L’Ecuyer) Harper. She grew up in Cloud County, Kansas on the family farm, located on the Republican River. She attended country schools until 6th grade, then attended Clyde Grade School and graduated from Clyde High School in 1954. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Joseph Ernest Hamel on November 12, 1955, in Clyde, Kansas. From this union Arlene and Ernie were blessed with seven children Lynette, Stan, Barb, Mark, Brian, Brad and Annette. The Hamel family lived in Hays, Kansas for a few years before moving to Russell in 1964. In 1988, Arlene went to work for the Russell County Court House in the court clerks office and retired in 2003. She is a longtime member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell and was a member of the St. Mary Church Cemetery Board. She enjoyed sewing, making quilts from used jeans for friends and family, reading and spending time with family. Most of all she enjoyed spending time and playing with her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her daughter Lynette Gross (Jeff) of Lincoln County, Kansas, son Stan Hamel (Pam) of Leavenworth, Kansas, daughter Barb Hake (Brian) of Omaha, Nebraska, son Mark Hamel (Melanie) of Russell, Kansas, son Brian Hamel (Lisa) of Bunker Hill, Kansas, son Brad Hamel of Papillion, Nebraska and daughter Annette Heald (Tracy) of Omaha, Nebraska; brother Rex Harper (Jolene) of Concordia, Kansas; sister Carolyn Nickerson (Duane) of Omaha, Nebraska; 19 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband J.E. (Ernie) Hamel on January 15, 2004.
A celebration of the funeral mass of Arlene’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, June 06, 2024, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas. Burial will follow at the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Russell. Viewing and Visitation will be from 9 A.M to 5 P.M. on Wednesday, June 05, 2024, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with family greeting guests from 3:30 P.M. to 5 P.M. at the mortuary. A Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:15 P.M. on Wednesday evening June 05, 2024, at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Memorials may be given to the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.