Douglas E Russell

life story

A loving Father and Husband, Grandfather and GG

Celebration of Life for both Doug and Ruth at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Information below.

Celebration of Life of Doug and Ruth

Douglas Ernest Russell of Brooklyn Park, MN age 90, passed away on a beautiful sunny Palm Sunday morning, March 29th, 2026. Just 3 weeks after two sudden ischemic strokes.

Doug is preceded in death by his deeply cherished wife of 64 years Ruth Selina (Marchant) Russell, his parents, Clarence E Russell and Alta Lucia (Clark) Russell, his brother Thomas Clyde Russell, Sister in law Mary Russell, and brother Frederick Clark Russell. Also Sister and brother in law Alan and Kittie (Marchant) Winterhalter.

Doug is survived by their 3 children: Marcia (Russell) Huyck / Kevin Hoppe, David Russell/ Becky, Steven Russell/Sue. Many grandchildren and many great grandkids. Also Ruth’s Brother Charles Marchant/ Barb.

Doug was born September 30th, 1935 in New Haven, Conn. His parents were Clarence and Alta Russell, he was the third of three children; His oldest Brother Frederick (5/30/1927- 11/5/1927), who passed away while still a baby and his middle brother Thomas. They lived in off Derby road in Orange, Connecticut. The house Doug grew up in was built for his parents while they were on their honeymoon. Later on, the home had to be moved farther back on the property when the Derby turnpike was constructed. The acreage included a small two stall garage with a barn area attached and room for all of his mom and dad’s projects including turkey’s, chickens, vegetables from their huge garden, many types of fruit trees and black walnuts. Doug’s father was well known as he worked as the postmaster in Orange. A family tradition of growing blueberries was also a big part of his life. Doug spent a lot of time at his grandfather (Henry H Russell) and Uncle Arthur E Russell’s farms picking blueberries.

Doug went to school in Orange Center School from K-8, then Troup Jr High in Hew Haven, finishing his schooling at James Hillhouse High in New Haven. He enjoying hanging with his friends, swimming, pond hockey, and waterskiing on the Housatonic River where he competition skied and his family had a cabin.

He met the love of his life, Ruth S Marchant when she was 13 and he was 15, as the story goes at Cedar Crest Park & swimming pond in Orange, conn. Their Friendship and Love blossomed. Time went by, they grew closer and Doug knew she was going to be his one and only. After high school, they decided higher learning should come first before marriage and off they went. Ruth went to New Britain General and Doug to Bullard Havens Tech in Bridgeport Conn. for 2 years for electrical engineering followed by a year at the American Television Institute in Chicago IL. When Doug returned home, through connections through his brother Tom, the NSA hired him. Doug also served in the Air force with honorable retirement in 1964.

Ruth and Doug returned home to Orange were married June 11, 1960 at the Orange Congregational church across the Green from Ed and Louise’s house. The wedding reception was hosted outside under a tent in the yard surrounded by all of Grandma Clark’s flowers and huge arbor next to Ruth’s childhood home.

Doug’s job with the NSA gave him an opportunity to move to MN with a budding new computer company, Control Data so after the wedding they headed west to Brooklyn Park MN.

Ruth took her RN degree and went to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN where she was a well-loved Nurse for over 35 plus years. She loved neo-natal, was a regular in ICU and CCU. She even was put on special assignment with a small crew of nurses when Senator Hubert Humphry was ill.

The Brooklyn Park home was short lived and they moved to Moundsview and had a home built for them. More bedrooms needed as the kids arrived: Marcia and then David. There were many parties, get togethers and lots of life long friends were made on that street. Doug was instrumental with 3 other gentlemen in helping establish the moundsview Shriners and Lions groups. They stayed until 1969 when Doug was sent on a project with Control Data to Sunnyvale, CA for a new high tech computer program. So, again, they packed up and headed west.

Ruth used her nurses training again and Doug was deep into the high stakes computer revolution. While in Sunnyvale there were 7 other families from CDC that went as well. It was a great community, the crew went camping many weekends together. Ruggles, Robles, Russells, Beaches, Biems, Lewis’ and Stoffels. Ruth would pack the little camping trailer and off they went just about every weekend they could.

In 1970 Younger brother, Steve arrived. And as Ruth always said “new house, new baby”. Ruth and Doug were there until 1971 and with the CDC project completed for him, back east to MN they went. This time to Minnetonka for a short rental while another house was built in Corcoran. Their friend Vern Sinderson, who built their first home, built this one as well. They would stay in this house for next 39 years.

Summers were never boring, a Winnebago was purchased in 1972 and off they would go. 3 kids and a black lab named skipper. It was a tradition for many years to leave for 2 to 3 weeks after school got out and go east to see their parents, brothers, sisters and their families. Trips to Canada fishing with friends, Remer to go snowmobiling and many other places. When the Bus was being packed, the dog would hide under the table and not move in fear of being left behind.

Time marched on and after much debate and searching; in 1984, a trailer on a lot was purchased on a lake that was very well known to them. Fish lake. Many years of the “Winnie Bus” going to Trefethen’s place over the 4th of July cemented the deal. Again, their friend Vern was the orchestrator of the first garage build at the lake.

Doug retired from CDC, and Ruth retired from nursing, Marcia got married, Dave got married, Steve got married. Grandkids started arriving. Space was a premium so in 1997, new cabin design was agreed upon and plans were drawn. Lots of hard work and it turned out great. Ruth and Doug were there every spring, summer and fall, up until she fell ill and dialysis started. Even then, she pushed through finding a dialysis center near the cabin so they did not have to drive home. She enjoyed the summer of 2024 before her passing. 2025 was difficult, Doug missed Ruth.

In 2011 the Corcoran home was sold, and coming full circle, they moved to a new townhome they had built in Brooklyn Park.

Ruth and Doug loved going to Florida in the winter. Up in the panhandle for 18 years just outside of Destin/Fort Walton area. Lots of friends, food and good times were had there as well. Sister Kittie and husband Alan had a place and Brother Charlie would often come and stay. Dads last time down was spring of 2026. It was not the same without Ruth. He told Dave that it was the last time he would come.

Dad loved to be outside, always tinkering in the garage or at his trusty workbench in the basement that traveled with each move. Boxes of electronics and gadgets. During the course of his time with CDC he was awarded the Million Miler club for time spent flying everywhere. He had a wonderful collection of model trains that he would set up around the Christmas tree. He dearly loved the garden and would plant whatever Ruth wanted. As she made pickles by the bushel.

His favorite place by far was the cabin at the lake. He loved getting up in the morning with his coffee and sitting on the deck before the day got started. Especially with Dave and Steve. He was a Good man, Kind and Thoughtful. He left a Legacy for his children.

There is a big hole in our hearts and you are so missed and loved Pop.

Damn the torpedos, Full steam ahead. God speed, say hi to Mom and we’ll take it from here.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

May 22, 2026

Lord of Life Lutheran Church (ELCA) 7401 County Rd 101, Maple Grove, MN 55311, USA

Celebration of life for both Ruth and Doug.

Contact Dave for more information.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services