Russell Allen Blakstad

Obituary: Russell A. Blakstad


Funeral service for Russell A. Blakstad will be at 2pm on Thursday, October 16, 2008, at Minneola Lutheran Church with Reverend Sarah Nietz officiating. Casketbearers will be Tom Markham, Paul Smith, Kevin Poncelet, Ron Quamme, Dave Jensen and Jack Gabor. Burial will follow in the Minneola Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Russell Allen Blakstad, age 59, of Zumbrota died on Monday morning, October 13, 2008 at his home in Zumbrota. He was born on October 23, 1948 in Red Wing to Arnold and Delores (Steffens) Blakstad. He attended school in Zumbrota and graduated from Zumbrota High School. Following graduation, Russ worked as a carpenter for Farm Builders in Wanamingo and later as a mechanic for Blakstad Brothers and later for Tilly Oil in Zumbrota. He later worked for Buck Construction in Zumbrota as a carpenter. Russ was a member of Minneola Lutheran Church and enjoyed motorcycle riding, baseball and softball, bowling, hunting, fishing, wildlife and spending time with his grandchildren.

Russ is survived by his five sons: Russell Jr. (Kelly), of Wanamingo, Michael and David (Sara), both of Mazeppa, Joey (Maggie) of Zumbrota and Scot (Jamie) of Las Vegas, NV; one daughter, Katelyn Blakstad-Staub, of Rochester; four grandchildren: Tiffanie Hoops-Blakstad, Tyler Blakstad, Chris and Randi Tews; one great grandchild, Masyn Hanson; one brother, Leslie Blakstad, of Wanamingo; three sisters: Carol (Dean) Bork and Nancy (John) Hegseth, both of Wanamingo, and Janet (Bradley) Fredrickson, of Zumbrota. Also surviving is his special companion, Nancy Crouse, of Zumbrota, her children: Todd (Fay) Crouse, of Kenyon, Tracy (Jon) Oeltjenbruns, of Owatonna, and her six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Delores, and one daughter, Ramona Blakstad.

Visitation will be from 4-8pm on Wednesday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and one hour preceding services at the church on Thursday.