Hillman, Russell Armin -- 1934 - 2011
HILLMAN, WATSON, SWANSON
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/3/2012 at 17:05:24
Source: Decorah Public Opinion May 24, 2011
Russell Armin Hillman, 76, died Friday, May 6, in Gig Harbor, Wash., after a brief battle with cancer. A worship service to celebrate Russ’ life was Saturday, May 21, at 2 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by the Narrows in Tacoma. Burial is in Monona, at a later time. Suggested memorials are Lutheran Marriage Encounter or the ELCA World Hunger Fund.
Russ was born Dec. 3, 1934, to Earle and Gladys Hillman, in Monona. He was baptized by his grandfather, Pastor O. A. Hillman. Raised in Calmar, he excelled in every sport offered in high school and graduated from Calmar High School in 1953. He was active in Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. After attending Luther College for two years, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, served 29 of his 36 months in Germany, attended NCO Academy, and earned the rank of Sergeant. He returned to Luther and graduated in 1960. He married Ann Margarite Watson in Des Moines June 12, 1960. They moved to St. Paul, Minn., where Russ attended Luther Theological Seminary, graduating in 1964.
Pastor Russ served parishes in Billings, Mont., 1964-1967 (plus a year of internship at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd); in Bigfork, Mont., 1967-1985 at Bethany Lutheran Church, in Gillette, Wyo., 1985-1994 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church; and in Gig Harbor, Wash., 1994-2003 at Peninsula Lutheran Church. He retired Nov. 1, 2003 after 40 years of active ministry. After retiring, Pastor Russ took an active part in his congregation, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by the Narrows in Tacoma and in the Southwest Washington Synod of the ELCA. He conducted weddings and funerals and did supply preaching up until his death. For the last 32 years of his life, he and Ann worked unceasingly in the volunteer ministry called Lutheran Marriage Encounter. They were leaders at local, national and international levels and role models to many married couples. He also took part in the communities where he lived, coaching baseball for 16 years and proudly leading two Babe Ruth teams to state titles in Montana and Wyoming.
Russ was a loving and compassionate pastor, a wonderful preacher, and an excellent teacher. He was known affectionately by so many as “the hugging pastor.” He loved watching all his kids’ sporting events. He and Ann really enjoyed traveling and were fortunate to visit 20 or more foreign countries. He sang with the praise team for the contemporary worship service at church. Hiking and camping were high on his list of fun things to do.
Russ is survived by his wife, Ann, at the family home in Gig Harbor; four children; ten grandchildren; his sister; Maxine Swanson, of Itasca, Ill; and two nephews and families. His children are Mark (Carla) of Beijing, China; David (Cathy) of Post Falls, Idaho; Diane of Belfair, Wash.; and Stephen (Jen) of Bettendorf. The grandchildren are Michael, Cameron, Matthew, Andrew, Zachary, Mallory, Noah, Jonathan, Julia and Ava – all carrying on the Hillman surname. Russ was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and loved them all deeply. Spending time with them brought him great joy and fulfillment.
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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