Russell Dawes

Russell H. Dawes, 80, Niagara, ND died on Sunday, January 1, 2012 in Altru Hospital of Grand Forks, ND. Russell was born December 7, 1931 in Grand Forks, the son of Harvey and Helen (Jacobson) Daws. He graduated from Central High School in 1950 and worked on the John Kyllo farm near McCanna, ND. Russell received the Silver Star while serving in the 45th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. After the war, he worked as a logger near Ely, MN. Russell then moved to Alaska where he mined gold, worked as a carpenter and became a union pipefitter/steamfitter. Russell returned to N.D. in 1969 to farm but also spent many winters working on the Trans-Alaska pipeline. He retired from pipefitting in 1986. In retirement, Russell enjoyed woodworking, gardening and raising mules. Russell married Delores Nelson on April 15, 1959 in Superior, WI. She survives along with children, Harvey Dawes, Montgomery, MN, Jennifer Prevett, Pacifica, CA, Elizabeth (Bo) Dawes-Kim, San Francisco, CA, Clarence (Wendee) Dawes, Cincinnati, OH; Siblings, Lois Dowling, Tacoma, WA, Ray (Virginia) Dawes, Ft. Shaw, MT, Betty (Harry) Lyth, Fairfield, CA, Kenneth (Marjorie) Dawes, Grand Forks, Phyllis Daws, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Carol (Jack) Dencker, Grand Forks, and four grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 6th, at Elk Valley Lutheran Church of rural McCanna, ND. Visitation will be held during the hour before the service. Burial will be in the Elk Valley Cemetery. Memorials may be made payable to: Smile Train, a charity devoted to aiding children with cleft palates.