Russell Sylvester

Russell Dwain Sylvester, 85, of Fargo, ND, and a former longtime Eldred-Fisher area resident and farmer, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2022 in Fargo, ND under hospice care at Sanford Hospital with his loving family at his side.

Russell was born on May 29, 1937 to Clarence and Bertha (Thompson) Sylvester in Crookston, MN.  He was the youngest of three children. Russell was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at First English Lutheran in Eldred, MN. Russell grew up on the family farm in rural Eldred, MN and attended a one-room schoolhouse in Burnham Creek through 8th grade.  After graduating from Climax High School in 1955 he married LaMae Lomsdal in 1960.  Russell proudly served his country in the US Army from 1960-1962. While serving he was stationed in Germany where he and LaMae welcomed the first of their three children. Russell and LaMae made their home and farmed in rural Fisher, MN.  He enjoyed many years working on the farm with his family.

He was actively involved in politics, volunteering on committees from the county level to the national level.  He also served as a delegate at three National Republican Conventions. He served on various community boards, including the Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers Association and American Sugar Beet Growers Association.

All of these activities Russell found rewarding and fulfilling, but his greatest treasure was his faith and family. When family members came to visit, no one ever left without getting a great big hug and an “I love you!”

Loving family members include Russell’s wife of 61 years, LaMae, and their children Brenda (David) Helland, their children, Kelsey (Austyn) Raftevold, and Victoria Helland, all of Fargo, ND; Dean (Diane) Sylvester of Fisher, MN, their children Jacob (Ashton) Sylvester, and their children, Jeorgia, Raegan and Blair of Fisher, MN, Jedidiah Sylvester of Grand Forks, ND, and Jonah (Emily) Sylvester, Eldred, MN; and Shari (Scott) Eggiman, their children, Brittanie (Brian) Carmona, and their children, Madison, Penelope and Camille, Maxwel Eggiman, and Simon (Emily) Eggiman, all of Fargo, ND.  Russell is survived by a brother, Charles Sylvester, of Fisher, MN; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Bertha Sylvester, and his sister Adella Thompson. May God bless the memory of Russell.

The funeral service celebrating Russell’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 4th, 2022 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Crookston with the Rev. Steve Bohler officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. The funeral will be livestreamed by going to Russell’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view. Following lunch at the church, burial will take place at the First English Cemetery in Eldred. Military honors will be provided by the Fisher American Legion Post and the MN National Guard Funeral Honors Team from Moorhead.

Online messages of condolence may be given to LaMae and family at www.stenshoelhouske.com.

The family of Russell Sylvester gratefully acknowledges your attendance and many kind expressions of sympathy during their time of loss, and invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship in the church following the service.