Glenn M Russell

GLENN M. RUSSELL was born on Jan 9, 1934 in Jamestown, Stutsman Co, ND to Clarence Russell and Matilda Claus and passed away at the Owatonna Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna on Oct. 31, 2017. At an early age, Glenn moved to Motley, MN before the family moved to St. Joseph, IA in 1938. The family moved to West Concord and then Claremont in the early 1940's. Throughout his life he credited his thrift, ingenuity and resourcefulness to the strong Iowa and Minnesota farm experiences he shared with his mother, father, four brothers and five sisters while growing up. He graduated from Claremont High School in 1952 where he had also played football and baseball. His first job was filling the coal pail for the teacher at the Claremont school where he was paid one penny per pail. Some of his later work experiences included selling Cutco knives, Mason Shoes, and working at the Owatonna Canning Company and the Continental Can in Mankato. As a US Air Force Reserve force member, he attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX and served at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City/Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls, SD. He followed in his brother Gene's footsteps to Mankato State College where he earned a business education baccalaureate of science degree in 1956 and completed a Master's degree in 1959. He credits professor Dr. Hazel Flood for encouraging and assisting him in the completion of his business teaching degree. Glenn became a beloved high school accounting, business law, and keyboarding teacher to many students over 37 years. He started his teaching career at Ellsworth, MN in 1956 and then at Heron Lake, MN in 1958 and then moved to Owatonna in 1967 where he was a certified vocational business instructor. Within those years he coached 7th and 8th grade football, taught driver's education to many students, and taught various community education courses to the citizens of Owatonna. Glenn enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, camping and gardening with friends and family who all enjoyed the fresh fruits of these outings for many years. He loved to boat, swim and camp at Okoboji, Iowa over many summers. Glenn traveled all over the various states of America as well as to parts of Canada, Mexico and the British Isles during his vacations. His children are Sally (Ted) Levens of Golden Valley, MN and Christopher Russell of West Des Moines, IA. He also leaves two grandchildren, Brittany Levens of Minneapolis and Jessica Levens of St. Anthony Park. He is predeceased by his brother Lt. Eugene Russell who died serving in Korea in 1953 and his sister Patricia in 2016. He is survived by siblings Ralph (Byron, MN), Barbara Joyce (Phoenix, AZ), Paul (Eustis, FL), Dorothy (Phoenix, AZ), Carolyn (Cary, NC), Kenneth (Cottage Grove, MN), and Rose (Los Alamos, NM). He also leaves 25 nieces and nephews and their families to mourn. The family thanks all friends and family for their thoughts and prayers for Glenn. Mass of Christian Burial is set for 1:30 pm Friday, November 10, 2017 at St. Joseph's Church in Owatonna. Friends may greet the family from noon until the time of the funeral liturgy at the church. Memorial donations are requested to be sent to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Owatonna Homestead Hospice patient care fund or the Alzheimer's Association (Alz.org).