Memorial Services will be held for Russell Juvrud, age 90 of Ottertail,  (formerly of Henning) on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Henning with Pastor Keith Lankford officiating. The hymns will be sung by the congregation, accompanied by Diane Hermanson.  Russ will be laid to rest in Norderhaug Cemetery, rural Henning.

Russell Hans Christian was born April 1, 1933, to Otto Edwin and Inger Christine (Nyhus) Juvrud on the Leaf Lake Family Farm. Russ attended District 117 in Leaf Lake Township for 8 years. He then attended Henning High School, graduating in 1951 as Valedictorian.

Russ farmed for 13 years on his father’s farm until his 3 siblings graduated. Russ purchased the farm in 1961. Russ married Mary Young and son, Peter was born in 1962. Russ sold all the farm equipment and livestock in 1966. Russ moved to Minneapolis to go to Minneapolis Business College, doing course work in data processing in 1966. After graduating Russ worked for International Milling in order processing from October 1966 to October 1972. International Milling later became Multifoods. Russ worked for Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent) from October 1972 until his retirement on April 1, 1998. Russ began in the data processing department and moved to management information systems, by taking Life Office Management courses.

Russ and Pat Anderson were married on April 24, 1971. They had two sons, Christopher Jon born on January 11, 1973, and Matthew Eric born on May 20, 1975.

Russ took several night courses at the University of Minnesota. He advanced at Lutheran Brotherhood from programmer to senior programmer analyst. He took in-house courses in coding, various computer languages, accounting, design, testing and documentation. His main responsibility was agent compensation.  While at Lutheran Brotherhood he took Life Office Management Courses and achieved the FLMI degree which resulted in a trip to the Miami Beach Conference. Pat and the boys went along. After completing his degree, he taught classes in LOMA to later students.

Russ participated in church and work volunteer projects such as, Habitat for Humanity, neighborhood fixups, church choir, Bible Study, church congregational president and Capital Fund Drive.

After retirement Russ worked part time for a church daycare, Knox and Pine Cone Nursery.

Russ and Pat moved back to Henning in January 2000. They and a cousin tore down the old house on the farm and had a log house built.

Russ volunteered at Good Shepherd Church in choir, Men’s Bible Study, and served as an usher, greeter and treasurer. In the Henning community Russ worked with H545 Foundation, Chat, Lions, The Landmark Center, Leaf Lake Township treasurer and Save the Trinity. Russ had the second-grade class at the Henning school read to him each week for an hour. This he did for twelve years.

Russ passed away on December 31, 2023, at Essentia Health in Fargo, N.D. at 90 years of age. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceding Russ in death were his parents, Otto and Christine; sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Jack Blask; brother-in-law, Paul Fjestad; brother and sister-in-law, Otto Edwin and Lu Jean Juvrud and sister-in-law, Kay Anderson.

Russ is survived by his wife, Pat and sons: Peter, Christopher and Matthew; sister, Ardyce Fjestad; brother-in-law: Calmer Anderson; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Please visit karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave a message of comfort and support for Russell’s family.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen-Belmont Funeral & Cremation Service of Henning.