Russell Swenson, 86, of Karlstad, Minnesota passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at Kittson Memorial Hospital in Hallock, Minnesota. Russell Magnus Swenson was born February 2, 1927 to August and Cora (Shurson) Swenson in Jupiter Township of Kittson County. He graduated from Karlstad High School in 1945 and went on to attend North Dakota State University. Russell served with the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946. On December 19, 1964 he was united in marriage to Ruth Lundquist Henry at Eidsvold Lutheran Church in Halma, Minnesota. The couple lived in Halma for a couple of years before moving to the farm in Jupiter Township. They moved into Karlstad in 2012. Ruth passed away on March 11, 2012. Russell was a member of the Eidsvold Lutheran Church and served as trustee on the church council and was a charter member of the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion. Russell's hobbies included riding 4-wheelers, reading and watching his Minnesota Twins. Family members include his children, Tammy Swenson-Lepper (Todd), Winona, MN, R. Jon Swenson (Jenica), rural Lake Bronson, stepson, David Henry (Nancy) St. Charles, IL, stepdaughters, Dianne Johnson (Kent) Eagan, MN and Patricia Field (Gayle), Stephen, MN; grandchildren, Hannah Lepper, Rachel Lepper, Sierra Swenson, Brita Swenson, Braxton Swenson, Bradyn Swenson, Eric Henry, Kent Johnson, Kelley Hudson, Garett Johnson, Melissa Johnson, Tiffany Taylor, Tishara Melcher and Christine Jones; 23 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; sisters, Ruby Beich, Crookston, MN, Helen Rickenberg (James) Kennedy, MN and Jean and JoAnn Swenson, Richfield, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth; stepson-in-law, Jack Oistad; stepgrandchildren, Kristi Johnson and Matthew Johnson and a brother-in-law, Adolph Beich. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, March 4th, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in Eidsvold Lutheran Church at Halma, Minnesota. Interment will be in East Emmaus Cemetery. Rev. Gary Halverson, presiding; Ron Fossell, soloist and Kirstin Olson, organist. Honorary casket bearers will be Russell''s grandchildren. Visitation will be at the Austin Funeral Home in Hallock on Sunday, March 3rd from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.