Russell D. McDougall
Though our hearts were broken, Our Lord God reached out to grasp the hand of Russell Dean McDougall, 83, of Blair, on Sunday, August 2, 2020.
Russell was born August 21, 1936, to Donald and Mary (Haskin) McDougall in Lyle Township, Mower County, MN. Growing up in a farming family, Russell learned the value of hard work at a young age. After his dad’s diagnosis with Polio, Russell became responsible for the farming activities, and while still attending school at the Carpenter School House, rural Blair. He was united in marriage to Lois L. Salzwedel at the First Lutheran Church Parsonage, October 20, 1956, in Blair. Together, the couple raised five wonderful children.
In addition to building a foundation for family, Russell was known for being a versatile handyman, and worked many jobs over the years. He owned and operated E&M Trucking, hauling crops and livestock over the road. After his trucking days, Russell’s first job off of the farm was at the Shell Gas Station in Blair. Russell devoted over 40 years at the AMPI Cheese Plant in Blair, and as foreman, was well-respected and liked by his peers until his retirement in 2000. Later in life, Russell delivered prescription drugs for the Blair Pharmacy to many nursing homes, hospitals and people in the area, thus allowing him to get out and socialize while performing a much-needed service. In his spare time, he mowed many lawns and loved thinking about how to build or fix something to make it better. He loved to pull his grandchildren with his John Deere lawn mower in the Blair Cheese Fest kiddie parades, and, being a devoted family man, never missed a family event. You could always count on Grandpa, as he was never more than a phone call away and never said, “No”. He was so proud of the accomplishments of each and every one of his children and grandchildren.
Russell enjoyed woodworking projects, making homemade Christmas gifts, eating sweets and popcorn balls and visits over coffee and a donut, whether it be at home or his daily visits to the Rainbow Restaurant. He will forever be in our hearts and on our minds.
Left to grieve his loss are his children: Rodney (Patsy Deno) McDougall of Black River Falls, Renee Syverson of Blair, Jacqueline (Keith) Sexe of Ettrick, Elizabeth (Rod) McDougall-Saxe of Blair; daughter-in-law, Sidney McDougall of Taylor; brother, Duane (Ann) McDougall of Mt. Pleasant, NC.; brother-in-law, Frank Ksionsk of Milwaukee; sisters-in-law: Anna Marie Brudos of Galesville, Judy Salzwedel of Ettrick; grand-children: Eric (Melanie) McDougall, Christine Boe, Megan (Jennifer) Syverson, Rachel (Luke) Solberg, Melissa (Jake) Heimdahl, Tricia (Dylan Severson) Syverson, Carrie (Haakon) Folkedahl, Jillian Syverson, Macy (Jordan) Tenneson, Emily Sexe, Drew McDougall, Olivia McDougall-Saxe, Isaac Sexe, Whitney “Sugar” McDougall-Saxe; great-grandchildren: Austin and Aiden McDougall, Jaxon, Evan, Andrew, and Cooper Boe, Brielle, Emma, Aspen, and Madelyn Solberg, Camryn, Haidyn, and Emersyn Heimdahl, Kynzie and Ivy Severson, Charlie and Crockett Folkedahl, Kash Tenneson and two on the way; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois; son, Donald; sisters: Betty (Earl) Loken and Esther Velma Ksionsk; brothers-in-law: Theron Brudos and Louis Salzwedel.
A funeral service for Russell was held Friday, August 7, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., at North Beaver Creek First Lutheran Church (white church), rural Ettrick. Reverend Adam Arends officiated. Burial followed at Rest Haven Cemetery in Blair. Kratz Funeral Home-Portage (www.kratzfuneral
home.com) assisted the family with arrangements.
