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BORN
1933
DIED
2025
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Russell Hilborn Obituary
Russell Hilborn, age 91, of Valley City, ND, died Wednesday, November 20th at SMP-St. Raphael in Valley City, after a courageous battle with Dementia. A celebrations of Russell's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 10th at Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church. Inurnment will be in Hillside Cemetery. A livestream of the service and an online guestbook will be available at www.lerudmathias.com.
Russell Duane Hilborn was born to Henry Franklin and Alma (Bartz) Hilborn on September 11, 1933, in Ada, MN. He was the youngest of thirteen brothers and sisters. He graduated from Valley City High School in 1952. He then went on to study refrigeration and appliance repair at Wahpeton State School of Science, graduating in the spring of 1955.
In 1955, Russell married Kathryn Johnson. They made their home in Valley City and had four boys: Jeffrey Norman, Tad Russell, Paul Alan, and Matthew John. Russell built his first home in Valley City in 1957, and then in 1966, he and his family moved to the E.C. Hilborn home on Chautauqua Blvd.
Russell began working for Auction City in Valley City, ND, in 1955. In 1957, he bought out the appliance side of Auction City and renamed it Auction City Appliance Center. In 1967, he became the sole owner of both the furniture and appliance departments of Auction City and renamed it Empire Home Furnishings. Russell was a prominent businessman and born salesman; he enjoyed visiting with and selling to his customers. After 45 years in business, he retired.
Russell proudly bought his first new Cadillac Coupe DeVille in 1959. He went on to own several Cadillacs and often measured the passage of time by the Cadillac he was driving.
In 1978, Russell met the love of his life, Marlys Crooks. They were married on June 16, 1979, and his family grew to include Gary, Jeffrey, and Karen Crooks. Russell and Marlys enjoyed traveling throughout the US and eventually bought a motor home to travel in. They loved catching up with old friends and making new ones, spending most of their time in their favorite Arizona destinations. Later they got off the road and bought a home in Mesa, AZ, where they spent their winter months. There they enjoyed get-togethers and weekly card games with treasured friends.
Russell was a lifelong boxing fan after competing in several Golden Glove matches while in college, and he made two hole-in-ones during his time on the golf course. He was a devoted son to his mother. He was a faithful churchgoer; he enjoyed singing and had a beautiful voice. He enjoyed snowmobiling and spending time with family and friends at his cabin on Lake Ashtabula. Russell spent a lot of quality time with his lawn mower and loved keeping up his home and lawn. He enjoyed time with family; he especially adored spending time with his grandchildren, who affectionately called him Grandpa Monkey.
Russell will forever be loved and deeply missed by Marlys, his wife of 45 years; children Jeffrey (Michelle) Hilborn of East Gull Lake, MN; Paul (Nancy) Hilborn of Valley City, ND; Matthew Hilborn of Amery, WI; Gary (Teri) Crooks, Jeffrey Crooks, and Karen Crooks of Valley City, ND; son-in-law Mike Schmitz of Pine City, MN; grandchildren Morgan (Max) Runke, Katelyn (Chris) Jones, Madisyn (Reno) Fussy, Beau Hilborn, Gage Hilborn, Anna Hilborn, Alyson (Alex) Stack, Emerson Hilborn, Emma Hilborn, Carson Hilborn, and Adam (Louisa) Martin; great-grandchildren Piper, Emelia, and Arwen Stack; sisters-in-law Marian Hilborn and Sally Nyberg. He was also a favorite uncle and is survived by many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son Tad Hilborn; grandson Bradley Berg; brothers Lawrence Zaun, Wallace Hilborn, Clayton Hilborn, Richard Hilborn, Lloyd Hilborn, Ray Gordon Hilborn, Frank Hilborn Virgil Hilborn; sisters Gladys Hoekman, Helen Podenski, Vivian Thomas, Lola Goulding, Beverly "Betty" Peterson; and his beloved dog, Lucy.
Russell's family would like to thank the caring staff at Edgewood Healthcare in Jamestown, SMP Health - St. Raphael in Valley City, and Hospice of the Red River Valley. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Russell to The Alzheimer's Research Foundation www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com
Russell Duane Hilborn was born to Henry Franklin and Alma (Bartz) Hilborn on September 11, 1933, in Ada, MN. He was the youngest of thirteen brothers and sisters. He graduated from Valley City High School in 1952. He then went on to study refrigeration and appliance repair at Wahpeton State School of Science, graduating in the spring of 1955.
In 1955, Russell married Kathryn Johnson. They made their home in Valley City and had four boys: Jeffrey Norman, Tad Russell, Paul Alan, and Matthew John. Russell built his first home in Valley City in 1957, and then in 1966, he and his family moved to the E.C. Hilborn home on Chautauqua Blvd.
Russell began working for Auction City in Valley City, ND, in 1955. In 1957, he bought out the appliance side of Auction City and renamed it Auction City Appliance Center. In 1967, he became the sole owner of both the furniture and appliance departments of Auction City and renamed it Empire Home Furnishings. Russell was a prominent businessman and born salesman; he enjoyed visiting with and selling to his customers. After 45 years in business, he retired.
Russell proudly bought his first new Cadillac Coupe DeVille in 1959. He went on to own several Cadillacs and often measured the passage of time by the Cadillac he was driving.
In 1978, Russell met the love of his life, Marlys Crooks. They were married on June 16, 1979, and his family grew to include Gary, Jeffrey, and Karen Crooks. Russell and Marlys enjoyed traveling throughout the US and eventually bought a motor home to travel in. They loved catching up with old friends and making new ones, spending most of their time in their favorite Arizona destinations. Later they got off the road and bought a home in Mesa, AZ, where they spent their winter months. There they enjoyed get-togethers and weekly card games with treasured friends.
Russell was a lifelong boxing fan after competing in several Golden Glove matches while in college, and he made two hole-in-ones during his time on the golf course. He was a devoted son to his mother. He was a faithful churchgoer; he enjoyed singing and had a beautiful voice. He enjoyed snowmobiling and spending time with family and friends at his cabin on Lake Ashtabula. Russell spent a lot of quality time with his lawn mower and loved keeping up his home and lawn. He enjoyed time with family; he especially adored spending time with his grandchildren, who affectionately called him Grandpa Monkey.
Russell will forever be loved and deeply missed by Marlys, his wife of 45 years; children Jeffrey (Michelle) Hilborn of East Gull Lake, MN; Paul (Nancy) Hilborn of Valley City, ND; Matthew Hilborn of Amery, WI; Gary (Teri) Crooks, Jeffrey Crooks, and Karen Crooks of Valley City, ND; son-in-law Mike Schmitz of Pine City, MN; grandchildren Morgan (Max) Runke, Katelyn (Chris) Jones, Madisyn (Reno) Fussy, Beau Hilborn, Gage Hilborn, Anna Hilborn, Alyson (Alex) Stack, Emerson Hilborn, Emma Hilborn, Carson Hilborn, and Adam (Louisa) Martin; great-grandchildren Piper, Emelia, and Arwen Stack; sisters-in-law Marian Hilborn and Sally Nyberg. He was also a favorite uncle and is survived by many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son Tad Hilborn; grandson Bradley Berg; brothers Lawrence Zaun, Wallace Hilborn, Clayton Hilborn, Richard Hilborn, Lloyd Hilborn, Ray Gordon Hilborn, Frank Hilborn Virgil Hilborn; sisters Gladys Hoekman, Helen Podenski, Vivian Thomas, Lola Goulding, Beverly "Betty" Peterson; and his beloved dog, Lucy.
Russell's family would like to thank the caring staff at Edgewood Healthcare in Jamestown, SMP Health - St. Raphael in Valley City, and Hospice of the Red River Valley. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Russell to The Alzheimer's Research Foundation www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Valley City Times-Record from Apr. 28 to Apr. 29, 2025.
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