I didn't really know my great Uncle Russell who passed away last month. He and his wife lived in Michigan and I know I met them and saw them a little growing up when they were out visiting, but I don't recall any solid memories of Russell. Unfortunately, He wasn't as impressionable to a young kid like his pirate treasure hunter brother, Fay.
However, his daughter Marla lives on the Wasatch Front so we saw Marla here and there. She was always really nice and very cool.
Last summer, my parents picked me up from the Denver Airport so we spent a few days in Denver before going home to dinner. While we were there, we stopped in to see Russell's son, Brad in the hospital.
Brad suffered a major stroke the year before (I can't remember when) and lost virtually all control of his body. Brad wasn't old-early fifties and was very active-skied etc.
Anyway, His girlfriend was there at the hospital taking care of him-and planned to continue being there for Brad even though she was going to be laid off within the month as her office was closing and relocating to PA. Seeing her love for him-and Brad in the condition he was affected all three of us deeply.
Anyway, below is my great uncle's obituary.
To my uncle: "Uncle Russell, wherever you are, I hope you are well and happy-Say hello and give your brother Keith a hug for me. I still miss him. We all do."
Russell Wardahl Feild 1926-2010
Russell Wardahl Feild, age 84, passed away December 3, 2010 at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.Born April 19, 1926 in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Ruben Thomas and Ester Elmina Jensen. He volunteered for the Wyoming State Guard in 1943 at age 17.
In 1944 he graduated from Rock Springs High School in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Following graduation he began active duty in the Army Air Force. Following World War II he attended the University of Wyoming for a time. Upon leaving college he worked for Carter Oil Company and then Standard Oil of Indiana which later became Amoco Oil Company. After 41 years working in the oil industry he retired from Amoco to a quiet life living in Traverse City, Michigan with the love of his life Betty Katherine Balkie.
Though they had a typing class together in high school they did not begin dating until three years after graduating. They married June 6, 1950 and have been married 60 years. A milestone he was so proud of. He loved fishing on the Grand Traverse Bay and spending time working in the yard around his home in Michigan. His greatest joy in life was his children and he cherished spending time with them.
Russell will be remembered for his quiet strength and caring nature, his love and dedication to friends and family. Dad, you have been my rock these past 18 months and I am going to miss you dearly.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, two children, Brad Feild and Marla Feild. Preceded in death by his parents and five brothers. The family expresses deepest thanks to all of dad's loving care givers at Munson Medical Center and Boardman Lake Glens in Traverse City and Sunrise Senior Living at Holladay, St. Marks Hospital and Life Path Home Health in Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 11, at 12:00 noon at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah with a viewing beginning at 10:45 a.m. also at Larkin Mortuary. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery, 2350 E. 1300 S., Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association(alz.org) P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011 or The Agape Healthcare Foundation; 6041 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 220, Greenwood Village, Colorado, 80111 (The Hospice Agency caring for Russell's son Brad).
1 comment:
Very nice. Thank you.
LV MOM
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