RUSSELL: In Loving Memory of Norman George Russell who was born Dec. 24, 1940 at SE28-44-13-W3rd, Richard District, SK and passed away May 11, 2011 at Battlefords Union Hospital, North Battleford, SK. Norman is survived by his loving family, his sister, Gladys Pickett, North Battleford, SK and his brother, Cecil (Pauline) Russell, Richard District, SK; his step-daughters, Barb Saul and Patty Tweedle and their families; sisters-in-law, Arlene (Homer) Traves and Kay Carswell; nieces, nephew, cousins and their families and by his two canine companions, Bud and Frisky. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Beatrice Russell, his wife, Pearl Russell; brother, Ronald Russell; sister-in-law, Paulette Russell and brothers-in-law, Harvey Pickett and Norman Carswell. A Celebration Of Life was held Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Paul's Anglican Church, North Battleford, SK with The Rev. Peter Norman officiating. Shared Memories were given by Victor Muirhead. Gifts of Music was shared by Organist, Mrs. M. Junice Headley; St. Paul's Sanctuary Choir; Soloist, Robert MacKay sang "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus" and Hymn Selections were "In The Garden", "Softly and Tenderly" and "Bringing In The Sheaves". The Honourary Pallbearers were "All Who Shared His Life" and the Urn Bearers were his nephews Rodney Russell and Lionel Russell. Memorials are requested to The Battlefords Agriculture Society, Box 668, North Battleford, SK S9A 2Y9 and Lung Association of Saskatchewan, 1231 - 8th St East, Saskatoon, SK S7H 0S5. Interment took place at the Cremation Section ~ City Cemetery, North Battlefod, SK. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. 446-4200 Eulogy Norman Russell came into this world Dec. 24, 1940. He was born on the farm. Mother Bea and Dad George, plus sister Gladys and brothers Ron & Cecil were there but the kids complained about no Christmas tree. Norman was only 2 lbs so he created quite a stir. Mom made an incubator out of an old drawer and used irons wrapped in towels to keep him warm. When he was six weeks old he had a bad spell so Dad said 'put him in the oven' and Norman rallied to be with them. On all accounts he was a pretty good kid. He attended Willow Springs School which was only a 5 minute walk from home. He was able to run home to enjoy his mother's famous cooking. Norman "enjoyed" school. His best subjects were baseball & hockey. He really loved to go around the country to play against other schools. Sports became a major part of his life. As a young man he played softball for the Richard Team and hockey for Willow Springs. He played with some of the greats, like Raymond Ruzesky, the McNabb brothers, Walter Thompson, Edward Phelps and the Kjargaards. Later in life he enjoyed curling at the Richard rink. Norman also participated in many community activities. He was a participant himself in 4-H and later became a leader looking after kids in the beef program. He worked with his sister Gladys on these 4-H activities. Norman was a long time active member and director with the Battlefords Agriculture Society. He was presented with a Life-Time Membership in 2003. Norman was an active member on the Recreation Board in Richard. Norman was a bachelor for a long time. Cattle, tractors, fishing and sports being his interests. In 1988 things changed when he met Pearl Withams / Milenthorpe. They got to know each other and were married on Aug. 5, 1989. They made their home on the family farm which included an instant family as Pearl had two daughters, Patty & Barbara. Pearl passed away Jan. 2, 2007. Norman & his brother Cecil were cattle men through & through. They also planted some crops but we all knew that at least Norman was mostly thinking about his cows or should I say the bulls were top of the list and this is no BULL. Norman could be counted upon to have some short horn bulls at the annual bull show and sale in North Battleford. He was there for close to 30 years. One of the brothers proudest moments was winning grand champion in 1976. They sold that bull for $3,700.00. Norman continued to raise cattle and farm till his health slowed him down. His nephews Rodney and Lionel came forward the last few years to help Norman still be a cattleman. Norman was a quiet, easy-going guy. He was always ready to help out. His family was very important and get-togethers were special!! Often fishing was a part of family fun. He was quick to forgive a grudge but when he said "I don't think so" he usually meant it. He liked a daily routine and expected dinner at 12:00 and supper at 6:00. He made his own bread & home-made wine, which was called "Jungle Juice". He particularly enjoyed spring calving and would drive around on his quad making sure all was well with his "charges". On Thursdays you would find him at Lionel & Viv's. On trips to town he delivered eggs for his Mom. At one time he kept a few bees to sweeten up the world. Norman's health started to be a concern about 10 years ago. As time went on it became more of a struggle. He always put his best face on no matter how he was feeling. The past year was very difficult with a lot of time being spent in hospital. He very much appreciated all the support he received from family and friends. Norman was particularly thankful to the doctors, nurses & staff at University Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital and the Battlefords Union Hospital for their care. Norman was a fighter to the end with his last request being "I would like a cold beer". Letter from Christie Hello everyone. I am terribly sorry I was not able to make it here today to be with you in a time like this. However it does make you realize to never take the moments you spend together for granted because you never know when you will get another chance to see one more smile, to hear just one more laugh, or to feel the comfort of the ones who love you most. Losing a loved one is the hardest thing. It's even harder when it's family. No words can express how I feel right now and only time will help me learn to accept the fact. Uncle Norman was the hardest working person I knew. He always had a solution to every problem. He had his way of making things simple and most other times complicated. Either way everything worked out as it should. He never asked anybody for help, even when he needed it the most. He was a very generous man, and he never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did. I used to go out to the farm with my dad on weekends or whenever dad felt we needed to get out there to lend a hand and get some work done. Dad called it pitching in, I called it punishment. I would throw the biggest fit to get out of going to the farm. Uncle Norman used to sit me down and tell me "Chris, the moments like these we get to share are something to be happy for. Because one day you will look back on this and you would give anything to be back right here in this moment". And he was right. Any chance that I get to go home from Estevan, I was so happy to go out to the farm. It was so peaceful, and relaxing most of all it was home. I enjoyed learning how to move cattle in -40 weather with my Dad and Uncle Norman. We would be out in the cold bringing them back to the pen, and there would be Uncle Norman, trailing behind in his little car with Frisky and a thermos of hot coffee and (of course some rum to go in it) waiting for us to take a break so we can warm up. Then when chores were done you looked so forward to the big pot of Uncle's stew and home-made bread, with home-made ice cream for desert. I will never forget those days uncle. You let me be me and you helped me grow up. You taught me how to drive my first truck and you even poured me my first rum and coffee. That will be the drink you, dad and I will always share. I will miss spending the time with just you, me, dad and grandpa being out in the country. If it wasn't for you three, I would not possibly be who I am today. And I thank you so much for that. When I need to feel at home I drive to the nearest farm here in Estevan and I park my car and sit watching the cattle just laying there peacefully, walking through a wheat field, and smell of the trees and the warm prairie sun and I know you're right there looking down on me. Because you always told me that would always make me feel at home right before I moved. I miss you so much and it breaks my heart to not be there today. But you have so many people who are here for you and thinking of you each and every day. You put in so much work your whole life it's time for you to relax, and spend it with your loved ones up in heaven. God bless you Uncle Norman, I love you so much with all my heart. We will forever miss you Love always, Christopher ________________________________________________
