Russell Harold Virchow, age 85, of rural Northwood, Iowa, died Sunday, April 17, 2005, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Myrtle, rural Glenville, with the Revs. Jeff Wallager and Lydia Mittag officiating. Burial will be in the State Line Cemetery, rural Northwood.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. South, Northwood, and one hour prior to service time on Thursday at the church.

Russell Harold Virchow was born on April 22, 1919, in rural Gordonsville, the son of E.L. and Anna (Knaack) Virchow. He was united in marriage to Delores Gordon on July 18, 1941, at the Lutheran Parsonage in Myrtle. She preceded him in death on Nov. 14, 2004. After their marriage together they farmed their entire life north of Northwood.

Russell was a great leader and manager of his farm, and his greatest love and enjoyment was farming his land.

He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Myrtle, and rural Glenville.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Donald Virchow of Stewartville, Minn., Robert Virchow and his wife Deborah of Glenville, and Donna Nelson of Lake Mills, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a sister; Pearl Mittag and her husband Gaylen of Albert Lea; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Besides his wife, Delores, he was also preceded in death by his parents; a grandson; two brothers; Glen and Arley Virchow; and a sister; Doris Virchow.