Russell West
Russell Dale West, 76, of Elgin, Iowa died Saturday, Dec. 6, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.
Visitation was held on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 4-7 p.m. at Elgin Lutheran Church, and one-hour before services at the church on Friday.
Funeral Services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at Highland Lutheran Church of rural Elkader.
Inurnment will be held at Highland Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service assisted the family with the arrangements.
He was born on Sept. 24, 1938 to Abby and Bertha Mae (Meisner) West in Highland Township, Clayton County, Iowa. He was baptized in the parsonage of Peace Church in Elkader. Russ attended Cook Country School in the rural Elkader/Elgin area. He also attended Elgin Town School through the tenth grade.
Russ worked for various farmers in the area, including the Christen Brothers, Dorothy Brackin, Connor Dummermuth and Franklin Walker. He was united in marriage with Nadine Upton on June 1, 1963. Four children were born to this union, Lisa, Bert, Lee and Lonnie. Russ, Nadine and their children farmed for many years, which included milking cows, raising hogs and raising beef. In 1994, Russ retired from farming and went to work for Chensvold, hauling recycling bins, and in 2000, he went to work for Don’s 66 Station in Elgin. He also owned and operated a hamburger stand in Elgin, during the summer for many years.
Russ was a member of the Highland Lutheran Church for many years. He enjoyed farming, hunting, especially deer hunting with his sons, son-in-law, grandsons and friends, also, fishing and spending time with his family. He loved his dogs and his horses.
Russ is survived by his children, Lisa (Kevin) Wescott of Clermont, Bert (Brenda) West of Lodi, Wisconsin, Lee (Karen) West of Clermont and Lonnie (Brenda) West of Charles City; nine grandchildren, Max (girlfriend, Haley) and Grant Wescott, Collin and Hailey West, Logan, Lexi and Lynzee West and Connor and Carter West, one great-grandson, Ayden Wescott and his ex-wife, Nadine West of Elgin.
Russ was preceded in death his parents; three brothers, Robert, Earl and Francis West and one sister, Darlene Thiese.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Russ’s honor may be made to the family.