Russell Stanley Bekkerus

Russell Stanley Bekkerus, age 88, of Glyndon, MN, passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2019, surrounded by family and God’s presence and peace.

Russell was born Oct. 16, 1930 to Gilbert and Selina (Helseth) Bekkerus. Russell was the youngest of 7 children. He attended Glyndon HS where he enjoyed playing BB and Football until graduating in 1948. After HS Russell started farming with his brothers and Dad. In 1951 he married the love of his life, Lois Bjornson. They moved into the farm in Glyndon. In 1953 Russell entered the Army during the Korean War until 1955. He returned to the farm and continued farming until 1996 when he retired but stayed very active with the farming well into his 80’s.

He served on the RRVSG board, the American Bank & Trust board, was part owner in the Ponderosa Golf Course and Detroit Mountain Ski Lodge among other “adventures”. Russell also spent time working with his brother Orvest remodeling motels in preparation for the winter Olympics in Squaw Valley.

Russ and Lois started their family with Mark born in 1958, Trent born in 1960 & LeeAnn born in 1962. They enjoyed having family and friends help out during the summer months on the farm. Russ and Lois lived on the farm until 1998 when they built a new home on the family homestead north of Glyndon. Russ & Lois lived there until they moved into their new home in Moorhead, MN on September 13, 2019.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 68 years, Lois Ann; his sons Mark David(Linda), Trent Allen; his daughter Lee Ann(Curt Senger);  8 grandchildren, Bethany Menholt(Ross), Angela Escher(Justin), Michelle Helling(Matthew), Tyler Bekkerus(Emily), Morgan Bekkerus, Nicole Bekkerus, Dana Boehmlehner(Austin), Taylor Oberg; his 10 great grandchildren, Peyton Boehmlehner, Kaden Menholt, Jase Menholt, Hudson Escher, Max Escher, Willa Escher, Wesley Bekkerus, Deacon Bekkerus, Graeme Bekkerus, Mason Bekkerus; his sister, Margaret Harkness, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Selina Bekkerus; siblings, Alvina Paulson (Bud), Orvest Bekkerus (Marion), Gordy Bekkerus (Rosie), Helen Peterson (Jim), Adeline Seljevold (Phil), and great-grandchild, Layla Escher.

Visitation will be Monday, September 23, 2019, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M., at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead. The funeral service will be Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at 2:00 P.M., at Glyndon Lutheran Church in Glyndon, MN. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Glyndon.