Nelson Elderfield Russell
March 30, 1928 ~ February 5, 2012 

Nelson Russell, age 83 of Osage, MN passed away on Sunday, February 5th, 2012 at Essentia Health Services in Fargo, ND.
Nelson was born on March 30th, 1928 in St. Vincent, MN to Milton and Elsa (Newton) Russell. His family moved to Grand Forks ND. where he attended grade school, then they moved to Seattle WA. where he spent his high school years graduating from Roosevelt High School. Nelson enlisted in the Army in 1946, was stationed in Japan, and was honorably discharged in 1949. He then attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, graduating from the Auto Mechanic Program. Nelson was united in marriage to Irene Wolter on April 28, 1951 in Wahpeton, ND. This union was blessed with 4 children; Nancy, Denny, Shelley, and Lori. They moved to Osage in 1962 and bought a small farm, where they had dairy cattle until 1982. Nelson also worked for Les Enfield in Osage as an auto mechanic from 1962 until 1966. He worked for McGrane Motors in Park Rapids, and after that he went to work at Clover Leaf Dairy, delivering milk to homes and resorts for many years. After Clover Leaf Dairy closed, he went to work in maintenance at Lamb Weston/RDO from 1981 until he retired in 1992. Nelson loved hunting and being outdoors, and a love for animals, especially dogs. He loved being on the water out boating, waterskiing, and fishing. He enjoyed woodworking projects and always kept busy tinkering with something. Nelson and Irene did a lot of traveling in their motor home, visiting relatives in Seattle and Ohio, taking short trips to South Dakota and around the state of MN, often with some of their children and grandchildren. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Otto Hendrickson VFW Post 212.
Nelson will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Irene; 1 son, Denny (Norine) Russell of Sweetwater, TX, 3 daughters; Nancy Uselman of Osage, MN, Shelley Robbins of Park Rapids, MN, and Lori (Jim) Neigel of Fergus Falls, MN; 5 grandchildren; Annie (RJ) McCarthy, Tera Forseman, Ryan (Kristin) Robbins, Lacey Jo (Ryan) Mirus, and Brandon Neigel; 5 great grandchildren, cousins and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dave, brother-in-law Walt, and great grandson, Isaiah Forseman.
Funeral services were held 11:00 A.M. on Thursday February 9, 2012 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Park Rapids. Officiating Pastor James Neubauer and Pastor Tim Heineke. Visitation 1 hr. prior to service at church. Interment at Riverside Cemetery in Osage Minnesota.