Russell L. Rundell

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Russell L. Rundell, 87, a longtime Ironwood resident, passed away on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

Russ was born on Nov. 22, 1932, in North Bessemer, a son of Uno and Jennie (Piispanen) Rundell. He attended Roosevelt School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School. Soon after graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent most of two years in Korea.

Upon returning to Ironwood, Russ worked as a logger for several years. He later worked at North Range Mining Company and White Pine Copper Company, where he retired in 1993. While working at White Pine, Russ drove White Pine Transit for 17 years.

On Nov. 27, 1954, Russ married his high school sweetheart, Edith Vandenberg. They celebrated 65 years together and were blessed with two children.

Russ enjoyed fishing and camping with his family. He hunted and spent time at his son Joe's camp. He took pleasure snowmobiling in the winter. After retirement, Russ and Edith made many trips to Branson, Mo., to celebrate Veterans Day. You could always find him working in his wood shop. It's hard to look around the house not to find things that he made. Russ was a lifelong Detroit Tigers fan.

He was a member of the United Steelworkers and Ironwood American Legion Post 5. In 2014, his granddaughters gifted him with a trip on the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. It was a momentous occasion for Russ and his family.

He was a quiet and kind man, who will be greatly missed.

Russ is survived by his beloved wife, Edith; a son, Joseph, Ironwood; a daughter, Cheryl (Robert) Warrick, Ironwood; two cherished granddaughters, Amy Warrick (Mark Malmberg), Ironwood, and Amber (Evan) Osterhoudt, Grand Rapids, Minn .; two dear step-grandchildren, Vikki Warrick (Todd Fromberg), Duluth, Minn., and Shawn (Chelsea) Warrick and their children, Parker and Daphne, all of Des Moines, Wash .; a sister, Betty Johnson, Bessemer; two brothers, James, Menomonee Falls, Wis., and Leo (Carol), Green River, Wyo .; four sisters-in-law, Kathryn Rundell and Florence Rundell, both of Bessemer, and Karen (Robert) Smith and Adele Vandenberg, both of Ironwood; many nieces, nephews and friends; and his faithful little dog, Ginger.

He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Robert and Arthur; a sister, Lois Last; his sister-in-law, Beverly Rundell; and three brothers-in-law, Carl Johnson, Harvey Last and Henry Vandenberg.

Cremation has taken place.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, Dec. 13, from 10 to 10:45 a.m., at the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084, 107 E. U.S. 2, in Wakefield, with the honor guard beginning at 10:15 a.m.

A memorial service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m.

Full military rites will be accorded by the combined Ironwood American Legion Post 5, Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11 and Wakefield VFW Post 9084 Honor Guard, assisted by the U.P. Funeral Honors Team.

Following the military rites, luncheon will be served at the VFW.

A committal service and interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood, in the spring.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.