Russell Walter Anderson

Funeral services for Russell Anderson will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran church in Morris.  Reverend Dan Belgum will be officiating.  A visitation will be on Friday evening, from 4-7:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Morris and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.  Burial will be at Rose Hills Cemetery in Holmes City at a later date. 

Russell Walter Anderson was born to Walter and Helen (Hjelm) Anderson on August 26, 1934, in Starbuck, Minnesota. He attended Ashby Public School, graduating in 1952. During high school, Russ played football and basketball and participated in bowling.

After graduation, Russell attended school at New Paltz Teachers College in New York. While in college, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a radar technician and supervisor until 1957. From 1958 until 1968 Russell taught in Stewart, Minnesota until moving to Morris, where he taught until his retirement in 1998.

While teaching, Russell made life-long friends. He enjoyed spending time with his companions and family around the campfire, especially at his cabin on Moose Lake. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golfing. Russell was a wonderful father who always made sure his children were cared and provided for. He enjoyed cooking with Chris and sharing family meals together, especially on special occasions that called for shrimp. 

In his later years, one would be likely to find Russ playing solitaire, crossword puzzles, and sudoku, or watching the Minnesota Twins. He was meticulous and loved his routines. Anyone who knew him well will recall his attention to detail while mowing the lawn and snow blowing, and will be quick to tell you some of his energy-saving tricks.

Russell passed away at Stevens Community Medical Center on January 28, 2023; he was 88 years old.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Brian Anderson (DeEtte Harris) of Nerstrand, Chris Anderson of Morris, Kelli Jo (Jason) Doty of New London; grandchildren: Derek Anderson, Kara Schmidgall, Ian Schmidgall, and Aidan Schmidgall; great-grandson, Tywin Anderson; stepsister, Jan Bursten; ex-wife, Joanne Schubert Thun; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Corey Anderson; grandson, Brandon Anderson; niece, Kim Kalina; brothers: Dennis Anderson and Brian Anderson; sisters: Dorothy (Loren) Waa, Marilyn (Don) Conrad; and stepbrother, Roger Christensen.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the arrangements for Russell.