Russell Borgen, age 93, of Ulen, MN, died Thursday, January 2, 2020, at Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen.

Russell was born September 19, 1926, the middle child of eleven born to William Sr. and Lillian (Reppen) Borgen.  He attended country school and graduated from Borup High School.  Following high school, Russell enlisted with the United States Navy.  He was honorably discharged but remained in the active reserves, only to later be called up to serve with the United States Army.  He considered it an honor to be recognized as a sailor and a soldier.

On June 27, 1949, Russell was united in marriage to Joyce Hogenson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen.  They were blessed with five children.  Their family lived on a farm in Hagen Township and besides raising sheep and cattle and the daily farm chores, Russell also worked 13 campaigns for American Crystal Sugar.  In 1962, they purchased a house in Ulen and all of their children graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal High School.  Russell owned and operated a bulk milk truck business, Borgen Oil Company and Ulen Champlin Service Station, in addition to owning a tow truck.  That tow truck was the beginning of many interesting, funny and almost unbelievable stories about the many times someone needed a tow.

In the late 1960's, Russell decided he wanted to be on the City Council.  After a term on the Council, he filed for Mayor and held that title for 33 years, a record for the City of Ulen.  Over the years, Russell can be credited with organizing and completing many projects: the Nordic Lounge, the lagoon east of Ulen, outdoor restrooms by the baseball fields, two shelters in the Ulen Park, the new Fire Hall for the Ulen Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad.  Russell also spent many hours working at and fundraising for the Ulen Museum when it was being built.  He was active with the Ulen Turkey BBQ from the first year in 1962 until he entered Viking Manor.

Being a mayor of a small town meant getting different, odd and strange calls at all hours of the day and night and some years Ulen did not have a policeman, so Russell was "it"!  He handled all of it to the best of his ability.  In 2006, Russell did not file for Mayor, but he did keep the positions of President of the Agassiz Recreational Trails Board and Vice President on the Board of Directors of the new museum.  So, you can imagine the pride he felt when the trail was made from Ulen to Crookston, MN, and the bridge over the Wild Rice River North of Ulen was named "The Russell Borgen Bridge".

Russell dedicated many years of his life to the community of Ulen and was proud to call Ulen his home.  It is a friendly place to live and he was happy to see new homes being built.  Russell's wife, Joyce, passed away in July of 2003 after 54 years of marriage.  Their children are forever grateful for the love, guidance and patience shown to them by their parents.  After Joyce's death, Russell remained in their home.  He found a second love in Nellie Holm and the two of them enjoyed many years of traveling and companionship.  Russell loved fishing for walleyes on the Canadian waters of Lake of the Woods with his brothers and brother-in-law, Rex.  The walleyes got bigger each time the stories were told!  Russell still owns the home he purchased in 1962 and was so glad that the family had a gathering place while he was in Viking Manor.  He loved when he would get visitors and always enjoyed reminiscing about the past. Of course, his favorite visitors were the great grandchildren and he never tired of them crawling on him and loving him up.  Russell will be greatly missed by his family, his friends and his community.

Russell is survived by two sons, Scott Borgen of Ulen, and Steve (Kathy) Borgen of Grand Forks, ND; two daughters, Brenda (Al) Winters of Story, WY, and Marilyn (Rich) Oxley of White Bear Lake, MN; daughter-in-law, Lorie (Tim) Doran of Ulen; six grandchildren: Matt, Brittany, Mark, Crystal, Sean and Nicole; 12 great grandchildren; Nellie Holm of Ulen; three brothers: Billy Borgen of Hendrum, MN, Curt (Betty) Borgen and Dennis Borgen both of Moorhead, MN; one sister, Ann (Rex) Lindblom of Park Rapids, MN; sisters-in-law: Elaine Borgen of Moorhead, MN, Helen (Don) Gunderson of Moorhead, MN, and Mary Borgen of Dilworth, MN; and over 60 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joyce, in 2003; son, Greg, in 1993; four brothers: John, Charles, Leon and Bert and two sisters, Doris Eidem and Mae Stennes.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, MN. Visitation will take place on Thursday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 pm all at the church and one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will be in the North Bethlehem Cemetery, Ulen.