Russell Lundell

Russell Fredrick Lundell, son of Fred and Hazel (Bauer) Lundell, was born December 5, 1925 at the family home in Ortonville, MN, and was an impressive 10 A½ lb, healthy baby boy. Because Russ' father died two weeks after his birth, his mother moved the family to Delano, MN, to be closer to her family. In 1928, his mother remarried, and they moved to Corona, SD, where Russ and his sister began attending country school. Soon after, the family lived for a short time in Wilmot, SD and then Ortonville, before returning to Delano to farm with Hazel's family. In 1939, they moved to Howard Lake, where Russ graduated from Howard Lake High School, and also met a very special girl named Jeanne M. Anderson, who he immediately began courting. On December 4, 1943, Russ entered the U.S. Navy, serving in WWII until May 7, 1946. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and started courting Jeanne again. In September 1946, Russ enrolled in the engineering program at the University of Minnesota. On August 16, 1947, he and Jeanne were united in marriage at Cokato Lutheran Church, and then made their home in Minneapolis. Because there were too many GI students at the U of M, Russ left school and took a job working for the Day Company, beginning on January 8, 1948. Learning his trade on the job, Russ became a machine designer and project sales engineer for Day Co., where he worked until 1969. In 1967, Russ and Jeanne adopted their son, Ross, and in 1969 they adopted their daughter, Jodi. In 1970, Russ' desire to farm brought the family to Starbuck, where they farmed until 1982. He then returned to working as a mechanical designer, first in Minneapolis for a couple years and then for 3M in Alexandria, where he worked from 1984 until 1990. In 1986, the couple moved from their farm into Starbuck, and they have lived there since that time.

Russell was a member of Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck, and his favorite hobbies were golfing, fishing and hunting. Most of all, Russ loved spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter, Sophia.

Russell died on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at his home in Starbuck, having lived to reach the age of 81 years.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Lundell of Starbuck; one son: Ross Lundell (special friend: Heather Berghorst) of Alexandria; one daughter: Jodi (Steve) Melsness of Plymouth; one granddaughter: Sophia Melsness of Plymouth and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister: Eleanor Norquist and one nephew: Tom Boxell.