SELVIG, Russell N. 1926-2011

SELVIG

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 2/15/2023 at 00:23:54

Russell Nellard Selvig
(1926 - April 16, 2011)

Northwood Anchor, Northwood, Iowa, Wed., April 20, 2011, p.9
Russell Nellard Selvig, 85, of Northwood, died Saturday, April 16, 2011, at his home in Northwood. A funeral service for Russell will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 21, at the First Lutheran Church, 309 North Ninth Street, Northwood, with Pastor Karen Rossing Grandall officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood, with military graveside honors conducted by members of Our Buddies VFW Memorial Post No. 6779 of Northwood.
Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. South, Northwood. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to service time on Thursday at the church. The family of Russell Selvig would like to suggest that those wishing to give a memorial in his memory may consider contributions be made to First Lutheran Church, or to Our Buddies VFW Memorial Post No. 6779 in Northwood.
Russell Nellard Selvig was born in Elmore, Minn., the son of Peter A. and Mary (Kittleson) Selvig. Russ attended elementary school in Winnebago County, and graduated from Thompson High School in 1943. Russ was inducted into the U.S. Navy on June 20, 1944, in Forest City, and served overseas during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, and was awarded several medals including the medal for participating in the China occupation. Russ served his country honorably and faithfully and was honorably discharged on June 23, 1946, in Minneapolis, Minn.
Russ attended Waldorf College in Forest City and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture and Agronomy from Iowa State University in Ames in June 1950. He was united in marriage to Ruth Marie (Pijahn) on June 24, 1951, in Lotts Creek. Ruth preceded him in death on March 21, 1985. In 1973, Russ worked for the Northwood Co-Op Elevator, at the Carpenter branch until his retirement as manager in 1992. He was united in marriage to Caroline Hinds on July 2, 1989, at the First Lutheran Church in Northwood. Caroline preceded him in death on Sept. 25, 1990. Russ enjoyed gardening, going to the Minnesota Twins games, was an avid Iowa State Cyclones fan, fishing, going to lutefisk suppers, had a passion for agriculture, and was very church and civic-minded. Russ was also honored to have participated in the World War II honor flight to Washington, D.C. He was united in marriage to Letha Fifield on April 23, 1992, in Independence, Mo. Letha preceded him in death on Jan. 16, 2003. Russ was a member of First Lutheran Church, Men of Mission at the church, former member of the First Lutheran Church Council, Our Buddies VFW Memorial Post No. 6779, Eagles Club in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Northwood Lions Club, Sons of Norway in Albert Lea, Charter member of the Navy Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C., American Legion Post for over 48 years. Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Rosemary Fall of Mound, Minn., Daniel (Dawn) Selvig of Platte, S.D., Donald (Diann) Selvig of Huntley, Minn., Carol (Daniel) Vandell of Medford, Ore., Kenneth (Mary) Selvig of Apple Valley, Minn., Margaret Selvig of Minneapolis, Minn., Richard Selvig of Plymouth, Minn., Rebecca (Jose) Reyes of Minneapolis, Minn., and Peter (Lynn) Selvig of Honolulu, Hawaii; 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; six step daughters; his brother, Marvill (Eleanor) Selvig of Blue Earth, Minn.; several nieces, nephews, as well as many other extended family members and friends. Russ was preceded in death by his parents, three wives, Ruth, Caroline, and Letha, three sisters, Martha Boucher, Gertrude Stenberg, and Pearl Boe, and five brothers, Howard, Lauritz, Levi, Edward, and Oliver Selvig.