This article was originally published by The Mennonite

Hesston College mourns the loss of Russ Neufeld

Photo: From left, Trent Wagler, Brian Dickel and Eric Brubaker of the Steel Wheels, Russ Neufeld, Kendra Neufeld, and Jay Lapp of the Steel Wheels, last September when the band stopped in to visit Russ, who was undergoing chemotherapy for Stage 2 lymphoblastic lymphoma. Russ passed away on Jan. 21. (courtesy photo).

The Hesston (Kansas) College community joins a far-flung network of friends and family of Russ Neufeld in celebrating his life and mourning his death. Neufeld served as director of Information Technology and was well-loved on campus. Prior to serving at Hesston, Neufeld worked for the Information Technology department for Mennonite Mission Network from 2000-2009.

Neufeld died Saturday evening, January 21, after a long battle with cancer.

Neufeld and his wife, Kendra, shared openly about their family’s journey with cancer and were supported by a wide community network in Hesston and Newton. On Sept. 20, Harrisonburg, Virginia, band, The Steel Wheels, held a large benefit concert in Newton, Kansas, to support the Neufeld family.

The Hesston community asks for your prayers for Kendra, as well as their two children, Ethan and Natalie, and the extended Neufeld and Duerksen families in their time of grief. Honor Russ’s memory by continuing to carry out his birthday (Jan. 16) wish, posted to Facebook January 11:

For my birthday I’d like to steal an idea from a friend and ask you to take all this love you have and share it. It only multiplies and there are so many who could use it. Whether it’s just a random act of kindness, or helping at your local homeless kitchen / shelter, or repairing broken relationships, just spread the love folks – it’s the only thing in this world that endures. We’ve received more than we could have imagined – let’s continue to spread that a little wider.

A memorial service will be held at Hesston Mennonite Church on Friday Jan. 27 at 3:00 p.m.

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