Russell Carroll

Russell Carroll, 80, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at Sanford Medical Center, Aberdeen, SD.

The Memorial Service is 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 31, 2022, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, Aberdeen, SD with Pastor Jeff Willock of Bethlehem Lutheran officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel. A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at Schriver’s Memorial Fellowship Center.

The Burial will be held in Vienna, SD at a later date.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and also view the service at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Russell Martin Carroll was born February 23, 1941, in Vienna, SD, to John and Lillian (Knadle) Carroll. Russell was the fifth of seven boys including Jack, Gene, David, Laurin, Douglas, and Harvey. The family lived in Vienna until John died in 1952. Lillian and the boys moved to Willow Lake, SD where they would eventually live next door to Russell’s future wife and love of his life, Bernardette.   He graduated from Willow Lake High School in 1959. Growing up he loved working on the farm, playing basketball, and spending time with his brothers.

He married Bernardette Anne McGeough on March 3, 1962. They were married for 56 years. The couple spent the first few years of their marriage traveling around for his work installing and repairing telephone systems for Ma Bell. In 1966, he joined the National Guard where he was a member of Company D, Fifth Battalion, Third Brigade.

Eventually, they settled in South Dakota where they had the first four of seven children, Debra Anne, Jennifer Lynn, Kathleen Joy, and Stephanie Jolene while living in Watertown. Soon after they moved to Pipestone, MN, where they purchased and ran The Mayfair Motel and had twins Timothy Paul and Christopher John.

In 1981 the family moved to Aberdeen, SD, and shortly after they had their seventh child, James Russell. They remained in Aberdeen while Russell continued working in the communications industry for various telephone companies and eventually on his own as an independent contractor.

Russell (Russ to many) was a family man and a friend to everyone – he would strike up a conversation with strangers wherever he was. One of his favorite pastimes was pulling up to a bar for a Miller High Life and a chat. He loved hunting and fishing and enjoyed many weekend hunting trips with his brothers, nephews, and sons-in-law. He also loved the Chicago Bears, western movies, old country music, home-cooked meals, family reunions, gardening, and house projects. Over the course of a few years, working evenings and weekends, he rebuilt an entire home by himself for his family. One of his favorite titles was Grandpa (or Grandpa Pow Pow for his love of wrestling) and he loved spending time with his eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

We will miss him greatly and remember him fondly for his generosity and kindness, hard work ethic, and suspenders – which he wore everywhere, even with no shirt while gardening on hot summer days.

Russell is survived by his five children Debra Hansen of Seattle, WA, Jennifer Hubert of Aberdeen, SD, Kathleen (Keith) Bergseth of Fargo, ND, Stephanie (Ethan) Carroll Ferkiss of Seattle, WA, and James Carroll of Aberdeen, SD; grandchildren Chelsea (Brian) Barton, Carly Hubert, Caiti Hubert, Austin Carroll, Eibhleann Carroll, Finn Bergseth, Rory Bergseth, and Lochlann Bergseth; great-grandchildren Abigayle Barton, Decker Barton, Evan Barton, and Finnley Barton; brother Laurin (Rose) Carroll, five sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law,many nieces and nephews, and his faithful four-legged companion Louie.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; two sisters-in-law; twin sons: Timothy Paul and Christopher John; and his bride of 56 years Bernardette Anne Carroll.