Russell Gjerstad, 84, of Long Prairie, passed away on January 19, 2017. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017, 1:00 p.m., at the American Lutheran Church in Long Prairie with Pastor Bill Bakewicz officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 26, 2017, 5:00 -7:00 p.m., at the American Lutheran Church and on the day of the funeral one hour prior to the service. Full Military Burial will be held at the Woodman Cemetery, Clarissa.
Russell was born August 18, 1932, to Hobart & Ida Elizabeth (Mastrud) Gjerstad in Bertha Township, Todd County. He grew up in Clarissa attending Country School 125 and graduated from the Clarissa High School in 1949. Russell enlisted in the US Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955. On June 21, 1958, he married Daloris Bain. In 1962, Russell and Daloris moved to Clarissa. He worked with Bain Bros Construction from 1962-1972. In 1972, they moved to Long Prairie where Russell worked as the maintenance engineer for American Heritage National Bank until his retirement in 1997. Russell was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.
The early years of Russell’s life were filled with adventures including dancing at the Clarissa Ballroom with his wife, snowmobiling and camping with his family, and attending his girls’ LPHS activities. Later in life, his greatest joys included spending time with his children and grandchildren, wintering in Palm Springs, CA, discovering a passion for audio books, and spending time with his schnauzer companion, Tiffy Tu.
Russell is survived by his wife Daloris of Long Prairie; daughters & sons-in-law: Lizabeth and Daniel Kellogg of Deephaven, MN, and Kathryn and Matthew Howd of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren: Haley, Grant, and Cohen Russell Kellogg, and Max, Esmé, and Lucia Howd; sister Phyllis Hegle of Owatonna, MN.
Russell is preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law Dick Hegle, and brother Leonard Gjerstad.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-