Russell Reese

1941 - 2024

Russell Reese

June 24, 1941 - October 29, 2024

Russell Reese passed away at home, with his family lovingly by his side, on October 29, 2024. He had smiled, laughed, and at times cried, through several years of declining health. Through those years, frequent visits with family and friends brought many laughs and smiles.

Russ was born on June 24, 1941, to Delia and Guy Reese in Chinook, Montana. He graduated from Billings Senior High. While in high school, he met and later married the love of his life Sonja Critelli.

Russ and Sonja met at a friend's party in 1959. Sonja was dancing with a small group of friends and when Russ saw her for the first time, he told his friend, "I am going to marry that girl!" So began their union of 65 years. Russ set out to win the required approval of Sonja's father Frank, protective father of nine children; six daughters and three sons. Winning the hand of the first-born daughter, was no small feat. Russ survived the scrutiny and married Sonja on July 16, 1960, and lovingly discovered when you marry a Critelli, you marry the entire family!

Russ and Sonja built a family. The birth of Shelley was followed by the birth of Susie.

Being together as a family was important to Russ, and he knew fun and laughter was the key to having a close and loving family. A typical weekend began with Russ's return from work to a loaded camper and boat. With smiles on their faces, they piled in and away they went to camp, fish, and water-ski the lakes of Montana.

Susie and Joel were blessed with two precious daughters, Kelsea and Linsey. Being grandparents was Russ and Sonja's dream come true! Susie and the girls would travel home every summer to spend time with their family. Russ and Sonja were beyond happy they got to take their two precious granddaughters camping and he got to teach them how to fish!

Their two daughters Shelley and Susie, along with husbands Mitch and Joel, and granddaughters, Kelsea and Linsey, brought a life filled with joy and good times.

Russ worked as a Sales Account Manager for Consolidated Freightways. Over his 36-year career, he loved the work and developed many life-long friendships. After retirement, known as the guy who could fix anything, he kept busy maintaining group home facilities that housed autistic children.

After Shelley and Susie grew up and flew away, horse racing became his passion! Rain or shine, he could be found at the Yellowstone Downs Horse Racing Track at Metra Park. He was an expert at understanding the complex conglomeration of confusing figures on a horse racing program. For several years he had the same reserved table directly above the finish line. He had a special group of fellow horse-racing fans who he thoroughly loved hanging out with year after year! They spent hours debating about which horses were going to win and the more beer they drank, the smarter they became!

Through difficult final years, wife and caretaker Sonja was always there with a strength that defies age. He never had to face his challenges alone. Holding his hand, she was with him until the very end.

With sadness we say goodbye to Russ - husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, friend. We will miss his humor, his fun, his strong-will and stubbornness. And we will always remember his contagious laugh and the happiness he brought to our lives.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents. He was deeply saddened by the loss of his best friend and brother-in-law Rod Critelli, who passed away earlier this year. We smile imagining Russ and Rod racing Corvettes in Heaven!

Russ is survived by his wife Sonja, daughters Shelley Ruff (Mitch) and Susie Temple (Joel), granddaughters Kelsea Temple Smalley (Roben) and Linsey Ramsey (Walker), sisters Wreadith Jacob (Mike), and Shirley Hoffert, many brothers and sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A special acknowledgement to the Clevenger and Schaff families for a lifetime of friendship.

A deep thanks to the kind and capable Hospice caretakers. Your work brought needed help and comfort to the family.

In absence of a service, family and friends are encouraged to listen to a favorite Elvis song and forever hold special memories of Russ.