Thief River Falls – Russel Wayne Christianson, 81, of Thief River Falls, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 24, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.
Russel was born on March 19, 1944, in Kenmare, ND to Olaf Christianson and Alice Luckman Christianson. Russel grew up on a farm in the hills outside of Bowbells, ND with his four siblings: Viola, Gail, Olaf (Sonnie), and Elton (Tony). As a child, Russel attended a small country school and as a teenager, he attended Bowbells High School where he played on his high school football team. Russel’s growing up years were filled with hard work as was common for a child growing up on a farm. His younger years were also filled with lots of fun, laughter, adventure, and shenanigans with his siblings, friends, and cousins who became some of his best friends throughout his life.
Upon graduating from high school, Russel worked on a farm which eventually led him to move to Minnesota to work on a mink ranch and then to attend college at Willmar Jr. College.
During his time in Willmar, Russel met his future wife, Carol Ann Kodet, and they married on March 18, 1967. In the summer of 1967 Russel was drafted and sent to serve as a Medic in the 92nd Engineering Battalion in Phu Cuong, Vietnam, where he was decorated with a Medal of Valor for his heroic actions during a mortar attack on his unit the night of May 6, 1968.
After Russel’s release from the service, he returned to North Dakota, and he decided he wanted to pursue a business degree and he enrolled at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks. After Russel graduated with his business degree and gained his CPA certification, he and Carol moved to Excelsior, where Russel started his accounting career.
During their time in Excelsior, Russel and Carol welcomed two daughters: Desiree Lynn in 1973, and Amy Lee in 1976. In 1979, Russel and his family moved to Thief River Falls where Russel became a partner in an accounting firm. During this time, Russel became very involved in the community. Russel was part of the Ducks Unlimited, the Chamber of Commerce, and the American Legion where he served as commander for a year.
In the later part of his career, Russel became the Controller, and then the General Manager for Northern Pride Inc., the Turkey Processing plant in Thief River Falls. Russel loved his job and the people he worked with, which led him to work several years past the time he could have retired.
In addition to working and participating in community clubs and organizations, Russel had a passion for hunting and fishing. In looking back at his time hunting and fishing he said some of his best memories were made with his friends on the lake, in a deer stand, or at the hunting shack sharing stories and laughing with one another.
After retiring, Russel and Carol split their time between their home in Thief River Falls, their lake cabin in Ottertail, and their winter home in Mesa, AZ. While wintering in Arizona, Russel took up the sport of Pickleball which became a passion of his as he loved the camaraderie of the people he played with, the good-natured competition, and mentoring new players. Russel was very proud to be part of the group that had pickleball courts built in Thief River Falls.
Russel’s other passion was his lake cabin which served as a meeting place for his family. Because of this cabin, Russel was able to spend more time with his grandchildren and watch them grow up and be a dedicated and loving grandfather. Megan, Aaron, and Morgan were his greatest gifts. Russel always treasured the time spent with his grandchildren at the cabin. Russel also formed a strong bond and friendship with his sons-in-law, Dean and Jeff in the many hours they worked together at the cabin. It is the three of them working together as a team that has made the cabin the wonderful place it is today.
In addition to being a meeting place for his family, Russel loved the quiet mornings on the porch with coffee in hand, beautiful sunsets over the lake next to a roaring camp fire, and singing silly songs while out on the pontoon with his family…the lake was his favorite place.
Russel deeply loved his wife, Carol, and they celebrated 58 years of marriage this year. Russel also deeply loved his daughters, Desiree’ and Amy. He was very proud of each of them and felt that they had both found great careers, husbands that were great partners and fathers, and that they both gave him beautiful grandchildren who were his most treasured gifts.
Russel is preceded in death by his father, Olaf Christianson; his mother, Alice (Luckman) Christinson; and his sisters, Vilola (Christianson) Winzenburg, and Gail (Christianson) Gravely.
Russel is survived by wife, Carol (Kodet) Christianson; daughters, Desiree (Christianson) Westrich and Dean; Amy (Christianson) Cota and Jeff; his three grandchildren, Megan Westrich, Aaron Cota, and Morgan Cota; and his many cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, coworkers and friends.
At Russel’s request, a burial and celebration of life will take place in the late spring at the Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.
Once plans have been finalized, information will be shared on the date and time of the service and anyone who would like to join the family in celebrating Russel’s life will be invited to attend.
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