Dorothy Marjorie Russell

Dorothy (Dottie) Marjorie Russell (99) passed away peacefully at home on July 9, 2025, with family by her side.

Dorothy was born on March 29, 1926, to Theodore and Alma Ringdahl and was raised in a loving home on their farm in rural Holmes City, MN, with her siblings, Arley, Kenneth, and Viola (Violet/Vi). She graduated from Kensington High School in 1944 and then attended the West Central School of Agriculture (UofM Morris campus).

Following a telegram proposal, Dorothy traveled to California by train to marry her high school sweetheart, James Russell, who was serving in the US Navy during World War II. They married in Los Angeles on March 19, 1946, and stayed at the fittingly named Alexandria Hotel. Dorothy returned to Alexandria, Minnesota, while Jim completed his tour of duty on the U.S.S. LSM 360, seeing the turning point of WWII at the Battle of Okinawa, then transferring to the survey ship U.S.S. Dutton as lead surveyor for the atomic bomb tests on Bikini Atoll.

After settling in Alexandria, Jim and Dorothy had four children: Glenn, Gloria, Gregory, and Gary. In addition to being a wonderfully loving wife and mother, Dorothy worked at Osterberg’s Cafe, Traveler’s Inn, and Fireside Steakhouse. She retired at age 55 from 3M Quality Control to care for aging relatives and pursue interests in sewing, quilting, cooking, baking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Always active in her church and with an unwavering faith, Dorothy generously shared an abundance of gratitude, love, and inspiration.

She is preceded in death by parents Ted and Alma, loving husband of 61 years Jim (Russ) Russell, sons Glenn and Greg, brothers Kenneth and Arley, sister Vi Olson, aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws.

She is survived by daughter Gloria Russell (Alexandria), son Gary (Sherry) Russell (Bemidji), Glenn’s wife Linda Russell (Mountain View, AR), grandchildren Currey (Victoria Larsen) Russell, Amy (Alex) Hernandez, Marlo (Erin) Hurley, Ryan (Gwen) Mulholland, Odessa Mulholland, Brian Russell, Kevin (Sarah) Russell, Jesse (Courtney Blomquist) Russell, Leah (Harrison) Hicks, and Dylan (Cassy Rockers) Russell, great-grandchildren Haley, Brandon, Kylie, Rowan, Claire, Ella, Tyler, Chase, Parker, Brooklyn, Lukas, Lucy, Max, Jude, Revan, Iris, great-great-grandchild Lars, Joan Russell (mother of Brian and Kevin), and nieces Dianne Flugge and Marilyn (Peter) Gremmels.

Special thanks to the staff at Pelican Bay, Bethany on the Lake, Physical Therapist Tim Oldenkamp, forever friend Diane Bast, as well as the friends and caregivers who provided her with much love and attention over the past years. Also, thank you and much love to Joni Neal, the staff, and residents at Arabella Manor for nine wonderful years at the 1812 community.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Private Interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, Holmes City, MN.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society are appreciated.