Paul and Harriet Russell

Harriet C. Russell, age 85, moved from this earth to Heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday morning Sept. 18, 2014. Harriet was born on Jan. 3, 1929 in Boscobel, WI to Luther and Hilda (Everson) Swenson, they farmed the family farm in Homer. She graduated from Boscobel High School. Harriet and Paul Russell were married in Lancaster on March 30, 1954. She worked as a switchboard operator in Fennimore, McDowell’s Nursing Home, Uncle Tom’s Kitchen, and Boscobel Nursing Home in Boscobel. She taught vacation bible school with the Rural Bible Crusade for many years. Paul and Harriet were one of the founding members of the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Fennimore in 1958. They farmed near Woodman until 1961 when they purchased her parents farm in Homer. She always had a big garden and helped Paul with milking the cows and fieldwork. Harriet will be remembered for her hospitality, she always had food and pie for all the relatives who stopped for a visit. Seven children were born to this union.

Paul Isaac Russell, age 91, of Fennimore formerly of Boscobel, passed away to his Eternal Home on Thursday June 24, 2021 at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing in Fennimore. He was the youngest son born December 6, 1929 to Joe and Julia (Peaslee) Russell in Woodman Township. He farmed with his parents until June of 1951 when he was drafted into the Army. He spent one year in the States and then nine months in Japan. Paul was honorably discharged in June of 1953.

On March 30, 1954 he married the Love of his Life, Harriet Swenson in Lancaster, WI. They were blessed with seven children; Barbara, Beverly, Benjamin, Betty, Bill, Bonnie, and Briant.

They farmed in Anderson Mills (Woodman) for eight years before purchasing the Swenson Family farm in Homer. They lived there until 1996 when they purchased a home in Fennimore and retired. Paul and Harriet were very involved with their church, Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Fennimore where they were Charter members.

After his retirement, Paul worked at the Boscobel Cemetery, Fennimore Cemetery and was on the board for the Homer Cemetery. He and Harriet read meters in Castle Rock and Hickory Grove for a number of years. They also worked recycling for Hickory Grove in Homer. Paul and Harriet moved to Sunset Fields 10 years ago and enjoyed many hours of fun and friendship there.

Paul is survived by his six children; Barbara (David) Thyren of Boscobel, Beverly (Ed) DeLapp of Pineville, MO, Betty (Tom) Howes of Amery, Bill Russell of Fennimore, Bonnie (Tony) Malven of Cresco, IA and Briant (Marcia) Russell of Boscobel. He leaves 20 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, his brother Byron Russell of Viroqua, and brother-in-law Leonard Swenson, and many nieces and nephews.

Paul was welcomed into Heaven by his wife Harriet, son Benjamin, great-granddaughter Adelynn, his parents, brothers, sisters, and brothers and sisters-in-laws.