Russell Bernstein
March 9, 1928 ~ December 21, 2014
Russell W. Bernstein died December 21, 2014 at Bethany Retirement Living Fargo, peacefully surrounded by family after a courageous 5 month battle with brain cancer.
Russell was born March 9, 1928 to Walter and Luella (Gohdes) Bernstein. He was raised on the family farm near Durbin, ND. He graduated from Casselton High School in 1946. He joined the Air National Guard in 1950 and retired in 1986 after 36 years as a Happy Hooligan. After he retired he drove semi part-time for Thompson Brother’s Inc.
On June 12, 1954 Russell married Donna Olson the couple made their home in West Fargo in 1966 they moved to Fargo. After Russell’s retirement they enjoyed spending winters in Mesa, AZ. Russell was an avid golfer and was a member of the Red River Valley Senior golf league for many years. Donna died on October 1, 1997. Russell married Jean Heim on May 19, 2001. Jean died November 12, 2012. After Jean’s death Russell resided in Mesa, AZ.
In July of this year Russell was diagnosed with brain cancer and decide he wanted to spend the remainder of his days in Fargo to be closer to his family. He came back to Fargo on September 1, and he entered Bethany Retirement Living on November 5.
Russell is survived by his son’s Rusty (Chris) Brookings, SD, Brent and Kurt of Fargo, and daughter Brenda (Dave) Sather, Spicer, MN, 7 grandchildren, Rachel (Ben) Mikulich, Emily Sather and special friend Alex Berkness, Allison Sather and special friend David Kluver, Keegan, Camden, Kellen, and McKenna Bernstein and 3 great grandson’s Aiden , Trenton, and Asher Mikulich.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Donna, second wife Jean, sister, Margie, brother Kenneth and infant son.
Burial will take place at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, ND.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.
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Show Low ArizonaMy sympathy to all of Russell’s family. It was a shock to learn of his passing as I had not known of his illness.
He was my favorite cousin and we kept in touch over the years. I will always remember his wonderful laugh that always warmed the heart.
Many fond memories.
Carol
Fargo North Dakota
From my father, Wayne Saar, and myself, we are deeply saddened to hear that Russ (my godfather) had passed away, especially after losing my mother, Gail, in May. We love hearing Dad’s stories and the one about being the best man at Russ and Donna’s wedding. He was reminiscing the other night of how “stealing the bride”was common then before weddings and how he helped Donna get away while being chased by several cars. We will always hold dear those stories and memories. Our deepest sympathies to all the family.
Detroit Lakes MN
My mother, Adella Sautebin Williams was Russell’s first cousin while my father, Donald Williams, was Donna’s first cousin. We always enjoyed seeing Russell at the family reunions and him sharing his love of golf. What a great smile Russ had and he enjoyed sharing laughter! We are saddened to hear of his death. Our condolences.
Casselton ND
The fondest memories of my Uncle Russell was climbing on his lap and him rubbing my back. I’m sure he was the only one that could contain some of my youthful fits! Thoughts are with you. Lynn
Russ was my excellent golfing buddy and we had more fun in the Red River Senior Golf. He was a fun loving guy and will be greatly missed.
Gordy
Fargo ND
Brenda, Curt and family-so sorry to see the passing of Russell. Thanks for sharing him with us at Kind-er Care for the short time he was with us! We all enjoyed getting to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Shelly Hakanson
Fargo ND
I was terribly saddened to hear about Russ.
When many of us were joining the Air Guard, Russ was the one who processed us in, etc. We knew nothing. When we were away at training and had any kind of question we contacted the only one we knew back in Fargo. That was Russ. I’ll always remember that.
He was a great guy and will be missed.
My family will miss you Grandpa! I’m so glad you got to meet Asher and spend time with the boys. I love you!
Rusty, Brenda and family members: We are so sorry to hear of Russ’s passing.
Russ was a true professional in all his endeavors. It was my pleasure to be a co-worker in personnel with him for many years. We were especially honored to have him and your mother attend our wedding in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1966.
It was again my personal honor to have him remove my TSGT stripes and pin on my lst Lt. bars when I was commissioned in the 1970’s.
Please know that while you are in pain now, he is no longer is, and that time, will not erase, but will help you to endure this loss. Doug & Joan Warnecke
Spicer Minnesota
Thank you for being such a wonderful, caring, loving Dad. You loved me for who I am. I am so thankful I got to spend so much time with you these last 5 months and share in this final journey. I will miss watching baseball with you (go Diamondbacks), laughing and crying with you, sharing many memories and stories with you, and most of all I will miss your hugs and kisses, and in your final days you being able to wrap your arms around me and telling me you love me. I will love you forever and I look forward to the day we will be together again.
Russell was my grandpa. He was an amazing grandpa and I will miss him dealry and wish I could have seen him more over the past couple years. I know his suffering is over and he is reunited with my grandma Donna in Heaven. I am happy I was able to see him one last time before he passed and got to say goodbye and let him know how much I loved him.
Sory to hear of Uncle Russ’s passing.
Take care.
Show Low ArizonaMy sympathy to all of Russell’s family. It was a shock to learn of his passing as I had not known of his illness.
He was my favorite cousin and we kept in touch over the years. I will always remember his wonderful laugh that always warmed the heart.
Many fond memories.
Carol
;
Fargo North DakotaFrom my father, Wayne Saar, and myself, we are deeply saddened to hear that Russ (my godfather) had passed away, especially after losing my mother, Gail, in May. We love hearing Dad’s stories and the one about being the best man at Russ and Donna’s wedding. He was reminiscing the other night of how \”stealing the bride\”was common then before weddings and how he helped Donna get away while being chased by several cars. We will always hold dear those stories and memories. Our deepest sympathies to all the family.;
Detroit Lakes MNMy mother, Adella Sautebin Williams was Russell’s first cousin while my father, Donald Williams, was Donna’s first cousin. We always enjoyed seeing Russell at the family reunions and him sharing his love of golf. What a great smile Russ had and he enjoyed sharing laughter! We are saddened to hear of his death. Our condolences. ;
Casselton ND
The fondest memories of my Uncle Russell was climbing on his lap and him rubbing my back. I’m sure he was the only one that could contain some of my youthful fits! Thoughts are with you. Lynn;
Russ was my excellent golfing buddy and we had more fun in the Red River Senior Golf. He was a fun loving guy and will be greatly missed.
Gordy;
Fargo ND
Brenda, Curt and family-so sorry to see the passing of Russell. Thanks for sharing him with us at Kind-er Care for the short time he was with us! We all enjoyed getting to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Shelly Hakanson;
Fargo ND
I was terribly saddened to hear about Russ.
When many of us were joining the Air Guard, Russ was the one who processed us in, etc. We knew nothing. When we were away at training and had any kind of question we contacted the only one we knew back in Fargo. That was Russ. I’ll always remember that.
He was a great guy and will be missed.;
My family will miss you Grandpa! I’m so glad you got to meet Asher and spend time with the boys. I love you! ;
Rusty, Brenda and family members: We are so sorry to hear of Russ’s passing.
Russ was a true professional in all his endeavors. It was my pleasure to be a co-worker in personnel with him for many years. We were especially honored to have him and your mother attend our wedding in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1966.
It was again my personal honor to have him remove my TSGT stripes and pin on my lst Lt. bars when I was commissioned in the 1970’s.
Please know that while you are in pain now, he is no longer is, and that time, will not erase, but will help you to endure this loss. Doug & Joan Warnecke;
Spicer MinnesotaThank you for being such a wonderful, caring, loving Dad. You loved me for who I am. I am so thankful I got to spend so much time with you these last 5 months and share in this final journey. I will miss watching baseball with you (go Diamondbacks), laughing and crying with you, sharing many memories and stories with you, and most of all I will miss your hugs and kisses, and in your final days you being able to wrap your arms around me and telling me you love me. I will love you forever and I look forward to the day we will be together again.;
Russell was my grandpa. He was an amazing grandpa and I will miss him dealry and wish I could have seen him more over the past couple years. I know his suffering is over and he is reunited with my grandma Donna in Heaven. I am happy I was able to see him one last time before he passed and got to say goodbye and let him know how much I loved him.;
Sory to hear of Uncle Russ’s passing.
Take care.;