(1961-2026)

Gwenna M. Green, 65, of Russell, Kan., died on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kan. Gwenna was born on March 1, 1961, in Russell, the daughter of Everett James and Angeline Marie (Ehrlich) Green. She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the Class of 1979. After high school she moved to Hutchinson, Kan., and graduated from beauty school. She moved back to Russell and worked for a couple of local beauty shops before she opened her own beauty salon in Russell. She enjoyed taking care of her friends and community as a beautician in Russell for over 30 years. She met, fell in love and was engaged to Roger Podlena for many years, and they made their home in Russell and Kanopolis, Kan. She was very active in the Russell community and was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church, Russell. She enjoyed going to plays by the Russell theater group, taking her dogs on walks, water aerobics and going to the casino. She and Roger also loved to travel, went on many cruises to the Caribbean and recently traveled to Hawaii.

Gwenna was loved by the Russell community and her inner circle of friends. She will be missed for her kind and compassionate care to her clients in her beauty shop and her love and dedicated friendships.

Survivors include her fiance of 23 years, Roger Podlena, and brother Lionel Green, both of Russell.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Gwenna selected having a cremation memorial service. A memorial service to celebrate Gwenna’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, Russell, Kan. Family will greet guests on the day of the service. A burial of the cremains will be held at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Russell. Memorials may be given to the Russell Community Theater and sent to the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of funeral service arrangements.