Funeral services for Russell E. Alderson will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Paul Causton will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and again one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in the spring at Graceland Cemetery in Albert Lea.

Russell E. Alderson, 85, of Albert Lea passed away peacefully Monday, March 2, 2015, surrounded by family.

Russ was born Nov. 18, 1929, to Harold and Minnie (Schoppe) Alderson and grew up in Nilwood, Illinois. He obtained a degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois. He served in the Army in Germany and went on to work various jobs as a teacher, insurance agent and finally retired as the plant manager of Imperial.

Russ loved to square dance, play cribbage, pool, cards and watch baseball. In the last few years he enjoyed special vacations relaxing and playing cards with the entire family in the mountains and at the lake.

He is survived by his loving wife, Alberta, of 61 years; daughters Bev Faulkner (Dan) of Plymouth and Debra Alderson (Pat Poole) of Denver; son, Wayne, of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; grandchildren Kelly Haanen (Jeff), Brian Faulkner and Taylor Alderson, all of Denver; and great-grandchildren Sierra, Lily and Alice Haanen of Denver.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Minnie Alderson; and brother, Raymond Alderson.

The family is grateful for the wonderful care he received at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, especially from his nurse, Kelly, who helped to make his last few months easier, as well as his hospice nurse, Nancy, and the rest of the hospice staff.

Memorials are preferred to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.