Russell William Puttbrese

Russell William Puttbrese, 90, Red Wing, died Tuesday at Golden Age Manor in Amery, Wisconsin, where he has resided since September. He was born November 23, 1917 in Badger, Minnesota, the son of Walter and Anna (Johnson) Puttbrese. He attended schools near Weaver, Minnesota. He farmed before joining the U. S. Army, serving during World War II. He married Murriel Elizabeth Mitchell on December 13, 1947 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He worked as an electrician for Donavon Construction Company in the Twin Cities for 33 years, retiring in 1980. They lived in Waconia for a number of years before moving to Red Wing in 1968. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 160, the Leo C. Peterson American Legion #54 and the Burnson Lillyblad VFW Post #1218. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and raised and showed Arabian horses.
Survivors include his wife of Red Wing; four children, Diane (Gary) Taxdahl of Amery, Wisconsin, Leland (Rita) Puttbrese of Washington, Jean (Mel) Colgrove of Dillon, Montana, Debra (Kevin) Sjoquist of Red Wing; twelve grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; one brother, Roy Puttbrese of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Beth; two brothers, Willard and Marvin Puttbrese and one sister, Irene Larson.
Funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Burial with military honors will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Cody and Kevin Sjoquist, David Mitchell, Jake Butler, Gary and Troy Taxdahl. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.