Russell J. Williams, age 86, of Darlington, WI, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2011, at University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics in Madison, WI. He was born February 8, 1925, in Juda, WI, the son of Jay and Edna (Horton) Williams. Russell attended Oakley School in Juda and graduated from Brodhead High School in 1942. He was united in marriage to Evelyn Lunde on February 23, 1946, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brodhead, WI. Russell farmed in the Juda area for two years, in the Monroe area for four years, in the Brodhead area for eight years and then in the Darlington area for fourteen years. He moved into the City of Darlington in 1972, where he worked for Center Hill Equipment as the John Deere Parts Manager for 17 years. In 1990, Russell began working at the Erickson Funeral Home, where he assisted Brent and Audery for 20 years.
Russell is survived by his wife: Evelyn at home; two daughters: Carla Larson of Tuttle, OK, and Jolene (Richard Huff) Pickett of Iowa City, IA; one grandson: Dr. Preston (Tracy) Larson, Ph.D. of Norman, OK; and two great-grandsons: Peter and Jasper Larson. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one son-in-law: Peter Larson in 1997.
Russell was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Darlington where he served a number of terms on the church council, and would conduct services when the pastor was gone. He was an Adult Bible Teacher, lector, usher, and Sunday school teacher. Russell was a past member of Brodhead Jay Cees Club and Fayette Sportsman Club of which he was a past president. He was interested in baseball, football, and most sports. Russell loved to fish, was an avid reader of books, and derived great pleasure from working crossword puzzles. He truly enjoyed going to Branson, MO, where he fished for trout, camped and enjoyed the music shows. Some of Russell's favorite sayings were "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." "We are not Christians because we do good things, it is because we are Christians that we do good things."
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 22, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1302 Clay Street in Darlington with Rev. Jeffrey M. Tomberlin officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery in Darlington. A visitation will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Erickson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 508 Main Street in Darlington. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
Russell is survived by his wife: Evelyn at home; two daughters: Carla Larson of Tuttle, OK, and Jolene (Richard Huff) Pickett of Iowa City, IA; one grandson: Dr. Preston (Tracy) Larson, Ph.D. of Norman, OK; and two great-grandsons: Peter and Jasper Larson. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one son-in-law: Peter Larson in 1997.
Russell was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Darlington where he served a number of terms on the church council, and would conduct services when the pastor was gone. He was an Adult Bible Teacher, lector, usher, and Sunday school teacher. Russell was a past member of Brodhead Jay Cees Club and Fayette Sportsman Club of which he was a past president. He was interested in baseball, football, and most sports. Russell loved to fish, was an avid reader of books, and derived great pleasure from working crossword puzzles. He truly enjoyed going to Branson, MO, where he fished for trout, camped and enjoyed the music shows. Some of Russell's favorite sayings were "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." "We are not Christians because we do good things, it is because we are Christians that we do good things."
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 22, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1302 Clay Street in Darlington with Rev. Jeffrey M. Tomberlin officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery in Darlington. A visitation will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Erickson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 508 Main Street in Darlington. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.