Russell J. May

Russell John May, age 57, of Lake Madison, passed away on Sunday, Mar. 16, 2025. Memorial services will be 10:30 am. Wed., Mar. 19, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Colton, SD. Visitation will be 5-7 pm, Tuesday at the Ellsworth Funeral Home in Madison.
He was born on July 5, 1967, to Ray & Jan (Hammer) May, in Madison. He attended school in Colman SD, graduating in 1985. Growing up on the farm, Russ, Sherri, and Chuck had so many fond memories – digging out the basement, one pail at a time; swimming in the slough; numerous adventures with neighborhood families; lots of softball and basketball games; planting & watering trees around the farm.
Russ worked for Ross Service and T&R Electric, T&R Service, Jim Clark Construction and the Colman Golf Course. He was involved in the Colman community, serving on the volunteer fire department and Colman City Council and served as Mayor. Russ worked as the general manager at the Lakes Golf Course for 19 years, until the time of his passing.
He married Angie VanDam, in Colman and welcomed their daughter, Krista. Later, he married Bardine Fiegen in Colman, was blessed with two stepsons, Justin and Nick, and they welcomed their daughter, Morgan. As a father, he was very active in his children's activities. He coached several years of sporting activities for the boys and Morgan. He was never afraid of being a bit vocal, he even lost his front dentures while letting the official know he made a bad call. Being a father and grandfather were very important to him.
Later in life, Russ and Tami Skrovig's (fiancé) paths crossed as friends on the golf course. They developed a relationship that their family and friends embraced. Given the loving man he was, he built a special bond with each of Tami's children and grandchildren. Every interaction, text, conversation or event that he was invited to and made him feel important. Captain Russ also enjoyed pulling the kids tubing, "helping" them wipe out or just chilling for a cruise around the lake.
He shared his love for hunting and fishing, which became more than a hobby, it was his passion, even going so far as to name the deer on his cameras. Goliath was his most notable score, landing him a place on the SD Big Bucks Calendar. He also scored two large elk and had both mounted. Shooting the deer and elk allowed him to hone his butchering skills and he was very good at jerky, summer sausage, and whatever else he could think of. He used his skills and processed several animals for his friends and family.
His passion for sports created so many meaningful friendships. He loved going to trips whether they were in a "special" plane, UTV, road trips to the Hills or destination trips with friends or a chill out evening with a bonfire. He was quite the basketball player, and that passion stayed with him through his refereeing days. He participated in bowling leagues for many years, and rumor has it, there might have even been a 300-game bowled. As well as being a respectable golfer, he was well known for his work at the Lakes Golf Course. He took so much ownership and pride in the golf course over those many years, but those that know Russ, knew that the friendships on and around the golf course is what he really cherished.
Russ valued every relationship he had. He carried over his "mayor" role to the lakes community by greeting everyone he knew with his wonderful smile and well-known wave (flutter fingers) and often parted ways by saying "watch out for deer", which really meant "I love you." He lived his life full of compassion. He was selfless and was always willing to help anyone who asked.
Russ is lovingly remembered by his fiancé Tami Skrovig, Lake Madison; children, Krista May, Sioux Falls; Morgan (Tyson) Rosenboom, Colman; grandchildren, Grady and Reid; siblings, Chuck (Ronda) May, Brookings; and Sherri (Robert) Wolles, Dell Rapids. He enjoyed being an uncle to Austin (Regan), Cameron (Reagan), Daniel, Connor, Courtney and Jacob. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Jan and grandparents.
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Services
Visitation
Tuesday
March 18, 2025
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Ellsworth Funeral Home
321 N. Egan Ave.
Madison, SD 57042
Memorial Service
Wednesday
March 19, 2025
10:30 AM
First Lutheran Church (Colton)