Piehl, Russell (1964-2013)

PIEHL, SCHARNHORST, OBERHEAU

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/6/2013 at 21:25:56

Russell Piehl
February 5, 1964 - January 2, 2013

FOREST CITY - Russell Piehl, age 48, of Forest City, died on Wednesday, January 2, 2013, as a result of a medical helicopter accident north of Ventura, Iowa.

Russ was born on February 5th, 1964, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Burton and LaVonne (Scharnhorst) Piehl. Before graduating from Denver Community High School in 1982, he started his EMS career during his senior year as a first responder with the Denver Ambulance Service.

Over the course of the last thirty years, Russ worked for various ambulance services across the state of Iowa including as the Director of EMS services in Algona. He later became the EMS Manager for training and education at North Iowa Area Community College. He was also a current member of the Forest City Ambulance Service. In 2007, Russ found his true passion as a Mercy AirMed flight paramedic in Mason City, Iowa. In addition, he also served on numerous boards and committees throughout his career, most recently as a board member for the Iowa EMS Association.

Russ was an avid Green Bay Packer fanatic and shareholder. He enjoyed spending countless hours on his Harley, boating on the lakes of north central Iowa, golfing, and spending time with his wife and children as well as spoiling his grandchildren as the world’s best "bumpa." His true passion was his ability to use the gifts God gave him to help others in times of need and crisis, touching countless lives throughout his career.

Russ is survived by his wife, Melody Piehl; his children, Kayla, Jesse, Tricia, Brandon, Courtney, and Cassie; his grandchildren, Kaiden and Zoe; and his brothers: Gregg, and his wife, Vicki Piehl, Doug, and his wife, Colleen Piehl, and Bruce, and his wife, Betty Piehl; as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Lavonne Piehl; and his grandparents, Martha and Edward Piehl and Herbert and Ida Oberheau.

"The three most important things in life are God, family and the Green Bay Packers in that order"-Vince Lombardi

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, Monday, January 7, 2013, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark St., Forest City, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Funeral services will also be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 641 Lincoln St., Denver, Iowa, Pastor Larry Feldt officiating. Visitation will be held at noon at the church. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Denver, Iowa.

Copyright © 2013, Petersen Lund Funeral Home

Petersen Lund Funeral Home
 

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