Russell Dean Werning

NEWHALL: Russell D. Werning, 88, of Newhall, passed away after a brief illness. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Funeral services will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Newhall at 11:00 AM, Thursday, May 1, 2025. Friends and family may visit with the family before the service from 9:30-10:45 AM. A private burial will be immediately following the service at St. Johns Cemetery. The family invites all to a luncheon at St. Johns Church, following the burial. Russell is survived by his three children and two grandsons. Son, David (Lynnette) Werning of Bradenton, FL; Daughters, Mary Baker (Carl Westemeier) Cedar Rapids, IA, Becky Weidenhamer, Cedar Rapids, IA; Grandsons, Austin Weidenhamer, Cedar Rapids and Mason Weidenhamer, Iowa City. He was preceded in death by his wife Alice; parents Lloyd and Viola; and brother Glenn. Russell was born September 6, 1936, in Vinton, Iowa, to Lloyd and Viola Werning. He graduated from High School in 1954. Russell went on to receive his BA degree from Coe College and his MA degree in 1962 from the University of Iowa. He taught Business at College Community schools for 35 years until his retirement. After retiring from teaching, he continued driving school bus for an additional 20 years. Life and service to the church and community were the cornerstone of Russell's life. He was an active member at St. Johns Lutheran Church for 78 years where he taught Sunday School, Friendship club at St. John, and sang in the St. John Choir from the 1950's until 2021. If there was an event at the church, you could guarantee Russell would be participating. Russell was an active member of the Newhall Lions Club for 40+ years, serving in numerous leadership positions. He said it was most gratifying to live out the Lion's Motto, "We serve". Russ was very active in Boy Scouts, serving in leadership roles at the local, district and Council level. Russ loved his children and grandchildren. He was always present for any life event they were in whether it was a t-ball game or a school play or an illness, if it involved his family Russell was there. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren to Hawkeye women's basketball games, sending texts about sports scores and seeing plays at the Old Creamery. Russ had a passion for cooking and baking. He could recite a recipe from memory to whoever asked. He had a special group of friends he met daily for breakfast at the Olive Tree. Russ was an avid sports fan. He loved the Hawkeyes and traveled to several bowl games. He also had a love of photography, you could find him taking photos of the Eagles in Decorah, or the alligators in Florida. He always had a camera in his car. Russell remained very active until the very end. Brunches at Ox Yolk, driving to Wisconsin to the apple orchards, or to Kalona for spices. There wasn't a day that he wasn't traveling around. Russell touched many lives through the years and will be forever remembered in our hearts. Memorials can be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church. Online Condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Russell Dean Werning, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.