The funeral service for Russell August Swenson will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at Vista Lutheran Church in New Richland. Pastor Brian Gegel will officiate. Interment will be in the Vista Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation is from 4-7 on Tuesday at Friedrich Funeral Service in New Richland, as well as one hour prior to the service at church.
Russell Swenson passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Country Neighbors Assisted Living in New Richland. He was 95 years old.
Russell August Swenson was born on July 19, 1917 in Otisco Township to C. Oscar Swenson and his wife Hilda (Larson) Swenson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Vista Covenant Church. Russell attended elementary grades in former District 48, and graduated from New Richland High School in the class of 1935. After graduation he attended a short course at the University of Minnesota Agriculture Campus. On May 20, 1939, he was united in marriage to Alice Espee at the Lutheran parsonage in Northwood, IA by the Reverend Arthur Talo.Russell was a farmer at heart, but always had other employment with Dairy Herd Improvement Association of Waseca and Le Seuer Counties, a trucker for New Richland Creamery Association, and spent 30 years with the Lampert and Standard lumber yards of New Richland. He retired in 1982.
Russell served as a board member of former School District 85, president of New Richland Creamery Board for 19 years, board member of the Vista Lutheran Church Council, and the cemetery board. He taught agricultural veteran’s training class following World War II for a number of years, and was instrumental in helping organize the Vista Busy Bee’s 4H club in 1945. He was one of the original leaders and enjoyed being their leader for many years. He was very proud of his club when they were awarded the “Outstanding Club Award” in ’51, ’52, and ’53. In earlier years he was an avid bowler and enjoyed ice fishing and morning coffee with his brothers and friends.
Russell is survived by his children, Curtis (Melliss) Swenson of Sarasota, FL, Ruth Ann (Wendell) Armstrong of Waseca, Dallas (Becky) Swenson of Woodbury, J. Lee (Lynn) Swenson of Forest Lake, Warren (Barb) Swenson of Woodbury, and Bruce Swenson of Orlando, FL; 19 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren; sister, Esther Dietrich of Waseca; and brothers, Rolland (Carol) Swenson of Otisco, and Marvin (Winnie) Swenson of Waseca.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alice; brothers, Raymond, Emmeth, Arthur, and Kenneth; sister, Francis; three infant brothers and sisters; and infant twin son, Richard.