Russell Leo Waters

Russell Waters passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 6, 2026, at the age of 88 years old.

Russell was born on June 5, 1937. He was the son of Leo and Florence (Larson) Waters and was raised and went to school at Bohnsack Township School and graduated from Hillsboro High School. Russell was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Mary Louise Kuntz on June 20, 1957, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro. They built a life centered on family, faith, and hard work on the family farm near Hillsboro where they lovingly raised their three children.

Russell was a kind soul. He loved to visit with friends or almost anyone who was willing to sit and drink a cup of coffee with him. He spent countless hours sitting with friends at Burger King or the café in town solving the world’s problems. He taught his children the value of hard work, compassion, and resilience and leaves behind a legacy of love and strong character. Russell was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching his beloved Hillsboro Burros throughout his life as well as the NDSU Bison, the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Vikings. After retiring, Mary Lou and he enjoyed many winters in Arizona to watch baseball spring training and later in Laughlin, Nevada to soak up the sun. Shortly after Mary Lou’s passing in 2013, Russ was fortunate to find a very special friend in Arlene Feldt. They were able to do some traveling and enjoyed each other’s company for many years. Our family is grateful to her for being such a good friend to dad and giving him happiness again after Mary Lou’s death. We are also very grateful to dad’s coffee crew that he loved spending time with over the years and for the residents at the Kelleher Manor that they were so good to stop and see him and bring him treats.

Russell is survived by his children Vicki (Mark) Littlejohn of Minto, ND; Randy Waters, Florissant, MO; and Doug (Jennifer) Waters of Hillsboro, ND. He is also survived by 7 grandsons: Scott Tweten, Michael (Kari) Tweten, Jacob (Rachelle) Waters, Isaac Waters, Austin (Alisha) Littlejohn, Cameron (Allison) Littlejohn, and Sam (Rebecca) Waters. Russell has 12 great-grandchildren: Dylan and Kayden Tweten, Lydia, Aubrey and Clara Tweten, Waylon and Weston Waters, Lainee Littlejohn, Lacey, Grayson, and Emersyn Littlejohn and Boden Waters.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Lou Waters and his parents, Leo and Florence Waters.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Chuck Breen and all the wonderful staff at Sanford Medical Center in Hillsboro, who took such amazing care of Russell in his final days and made him feel so comfortable and cared for on his journey home.