Russell J. Tisthammer

1943 - 2024

Russell J. Tisthammer, 80
Funeral services for Russell J. Tisthammer, 80, currently of Roswell, will be held at 10:00 AM, Fri., July 12, 2024, in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel with Troy Oliver officiating. Burial will follow in the Floyd Cemetery with Chance Chenault, Steve Dement, Ky Graham, Daniel Chenault, Dawson Bollema and Shaddix Dement serving as pallbearers. The members of the Desert Cruisers Antique Car Club will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Russell Jerome Tisthammer was born Nov. 20, 1943, in Norfolk, Nebraska to Olaf and Ester (Fischer) Tisthammer and died on July 4, 2024, in Roswell. He grew up in Newman Grove, Nebraska whereas a boy he ran a paper route to earn money. While he was in high school, he began working at the Co-op Dairy and also as a janitor at the high school. At the age of 18, Russell began working for the CNW Railroad. When he was laid off in Oct. of 1963, Russell enlisted in the US Air Force. He was sent to Aircraft Pneudraulics School, where he was an honor student and class leader. His first duty assignment was at Kirkland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. Toward the end of 1966, he was sent to Southeast Asia, where he was stationed in Thailand for most the time. He was discharged in Oct. 1967 while serving at Travis AFB in California following four years of service.
Following his discharge, he returned to Nebraska, and then attended Southwestern College in Granite Falls, Minnesota, where he earned a degree in Industrial Fluid Power. Upon graduation, he was offered a Civil Service job back in Albuquerque at Kirkland Air Force Base. It was while living in Albuquerque that he met Elvira Chavez, and they were married on Sept. 29, 1969. Together they had three sons. Mrs. Tisthammer preceded him in death on Aug. 18, 2016. During their years of marriage, they lived in Albuquerque, Wichita, KS, Newman Grove, NE. While working in Newman Grove, Russell was employed by Lindsay Manufacturing. In 1981, they sent him to Portales, NM as the District Service Manager. In 1988, he became employed at the Melrose Bombing Range where he remained until his retirement.
On July 29, 2022, he was married to Gail Dement. They moved to Roswell to make their home in 2023. While living there, he attended St. Mark's Lutheran Church. While living in Portales, Russell was a member of the Floyd Methodist Church. He also belonged to VFW Post 9515, as well as the Clovis Desert Cruisers Antique and Classic Car Club. He was the proud owner of a 1926 Model T Touring Car, a 1927 Model T Coupe, a 1970 Short Bed Chevrolet pickup and a 1971 Oldsmobile two door hardtop. In addition to his interest in cars, he also raised Bob White Quail and Chuckers.
He is survived by his wife, Gail; two sons, Aaron Tisthammer of Portales and David Tisthammer of Las Cruces; a step-son, Steven Dement and wife, Sassha of Farwell, TX; three step-daughters, Ashley Wyatt of Portales, Chelsey Chenault and husband, Chance of Clovis and Carley Bollema and husband, Richard of Texico, NM; a granddaughter, Davina Tisthammer and 12 step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Scott Tisthammer and wife, Lisa of Boise, ID, Andy Tisthammer and wife, Deb of Laurel, NE and Mike Tisthammer and wife, Marilyn of Columbus, NE; and a sister, Lorraine Austin and husband, Dan of Columbus, NE. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, a sister, Jackie Wiese, a son, Jacob Tisthammer who died in Dec. 2010, as well as by his first wife, Elvira.
Arrangements are under the direction of Wheeler Mortuary of Portales. 575-356-4455, wheelermortuary.net