Russell Ellingworth, age 83, of Twin Valley, Minnesota, died Saturday, April 28, 2007, in his home.

Russell A. Ellingworth was born January 13th, 1924, the son of Abner and Barbara (Birkland) Ellingworth on a farm north of Twin Valley, Minnesota, where he grew up and attended school. As a young man, Russell worked for several farmers in the Twin Valley area. On March 11, 1951, Russell was united in marriage to Inez Bentley in Ulen, Minnesota. The couple made their home in Twin Valley where they raised their three children. For 23 years, Russell was employed by Abbott-Arne-Schwindt Inc., of Moorhead, Minnesota, as an underground construction machine operator, working throughout the Midwest. After his retirement from his construction career, Russell worked for several years for the City of Twin Valley with the Green Thumb program. He was then employed at the Shooting Star Casino for a time in the kitchen and was currently the the grounds keeper for Richard and Diane Ista Farms near Ada, Minnesota for many years.

Russell enjoyed the outdoors, trapping gophers, tending his garden and building birdhouses as well as feeding the wide variety of birds in the neighborhood. He liked playing cards and treasured the time he spent with his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Russell is survived by his wife of 56 years, Inez of Twin Valley, MN; a son, Steve and two daughters, Roz (Jerry) Shuskey and Barbie (Mike) Boles all of Twin Valley, MN; a sister, Gladys Pinske of Twin Valley, MN; three brothers, Maynard of Twin Valley, MN, Phil (Lucy) of Gary, MN and Gordon of Minneapolis, MN; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and two brothers.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 3rd from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM in the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 4th at 10:30 AM in Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley. Officiating will be Pastor Robert Behling with Myrna Thornton serving as organist and Sara Mickelson as vocalist. Pallbearers will be Mike Boles, Jerry Shuskey, Darrell Gusleth, Duane Johnson, Richard Ista, Diane Ista and Wade Mickelson. Honorary pallbearers will be Irvin Westby, Bob Olson, Morrell Lien and Russell's grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Interment will be in Strand Lutheran Cemetery, rural Gary, Minnesota.