Russell Austad, 67, died Monday, August 30, 2010 at First Care Hospital, Fosston, MN


Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, September 3, 2010 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in rural Oklee, MN with Rev. Jonathon Dodson officating.

Visitation will be from 5-8 PM, Thursday, September 2, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service in Oklee, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday.

Russell Gene Austad was born on July 15, 1943 to Ole G. and Ione Charlotte (Weberg) Austad at Hibbing, MN the oldest of 5 children. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. He attended school in Oklee and graduated in 1961. He attended the Vo Tech in Thief River Falls for carpentry for a year. He moved to Minneapolis as a young man and worked as a carpenter. He lived in the Spring Lake Park and Blaine areas for almost 30 years. He moved back to the Oklee area in 1991. Russell continued carpentry work with his brother Lyle for many years. He retired from carpentry work in the late 1990s.

Russell enjoyed gardening. He liked to hunt and fish. He planted many trees around the family farmstead. His pride and joy was keeping the home place looking good. He would mow lawn for hours at a time. He was a jack of all trades and could fix most anything. He enjoyed war movies on television. He was a member of Ebenezer Lutheran Church.

He is survived by 3 siblings: Lyle Austad, Goodridge, MN, Judy (Gary) Bartz, Coon Rapids, MN, Jean Hoiby, Circle Pines, MN, sister in law, Darlene Austad, Detroit Lakes, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gary Austad, nephew Jon Austad.

Organist: Gelene Lundeen
Congregational Hymns: Amazing Grace, In the Garden, On Eagles Wings, Softly and Tenderly
Pallbearers: (Nephews) Rory Austad, Jamie Austad, Troy Austad, Alan Hoiby, Corey Rassmussen, Jarrod Wilde
Honorary Casketbearers: All of Russells Nieces and Nephews