Russell "Russ" Ernest Thomas

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Russell "Russ" Thomas of Grasston passed away peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2024 at his home at the age of 88.

Russell Ernest Thomas was born at home in Kanabec County, Minnesota on February 10, 1936 to Ernest "Ernie" and Pauline "Lena" (Saumer) Thomas. He was the youngest of five children and attended Henriette School.

As a teenager, he boarded a train and traveled to South Dakota to join his brother and cousin working on a large farm. He celebrated his 16th birthday there doing everything from crop work to delivering baby pigs.

Returning to Minnesota a couple of years later, he saw a young lady walking home and offered her a lift. Leella Paxton accepted the ride and they were married June 11, 1955, in Mora. The two lived in the Twin Cities where Russell worked at Armor’s Processing Plant.

They moved in 1957 to what was affectionately known as “the little house” in Kanabec County. Russell transported the final belongings the day Leella gave birth to their first child, Denise. The two were blessed with three more children, Gwen, Colette and Philip.

Russell helped his dad farm prior to buying their own farm in Pine County. He had a passion for crop farming and raising beef cattle. He also found a strong talent in metal work being employed by Donovan Sheet Metal, Dahlman’s and Aurelius Manufacturing in Braham, Portec, and working at Twin Cities Ammunition Plant (Arsenal).  After full-time work years, Russell worked part-time at Grand Casino Hinckley and did special projects from his own metal shop. He helped neighboring farmers and family repair metal items or create just the right tool – promised to be indestructible and quite a bit heavier than the original. He had a reputation for being able to make or fix anything.

Russell liked to fish, hunt, feed the deer and birds and kept busy in the summer helping Leella tend to their large garden and raspberry patch.

Russ is survived by his wife Leella Thomas of Grasston; daughters Denise (Bruce) Pals of Rush City, and Gwen (Mike Baker) Thomas of Crosby; grandchildren Claressa (Kelly) Gorman, Coreen Pals, Jennifer (Brian) Schweizer, Cody Pals, ReGina (Rob) Clapp, Shane (Amanda) Salmonson, Lance Salmonson, Dalaena Baillargeon, Larry Mills and Calvin Jensen; 15 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ernie and Lena Thomas; children Philip Thomas and Colette Thomas; and siblings Gloria Amdahl, Kenneth Thomas, Leo Thomas and Jerome Thomas.

Pastor Manda Truchinski will officiate funeral services for Russ: 11 AM; Friday, December 20, 2024 with a time of visitation and reviewal one hour prior to the service all at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City. The interment will take place in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Mora.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com