Russell Butterfield

Russell Butterfield, 79, Bismarck, died October 19, 2010, at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck. Services will be held at 1:30 pm Monday at Zion Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Thomas R. Marcis, Jr., officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm Sunday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Russell was born February 11, 1931, in Verendrye, ND, the son of George Jenness and Charlotte Jones McDonald Butterfield of Blaisdell, ND. He was the youngest of six children. Russell graduated from Model High School in Minot in 1950 and Minot State University. He served in the US Marine Corps for two years with Platoon 497 and was honorably discharged. Russell married Clarice Mastrud on June 10, 1956, at Zion Lutheran Church, Coteau, ND. As a teenager, Russell worked for Morrison Knudson Construction Company in the summers in Blaisdell, which led to him working full-time. He started as a timekeeper, worked as a paymaster and eventually as business manager for many major construction projects. Each project brought travel and adventure in different parts of the United States for 35 years. Russell's family like to think of him as a hobby housebuilder, as he built several houses that he would move his family into. He enjoyed railroad history, reading, gardening, traveling, fishing and bird hunting. Family was very important to Russ and Christmas was especially a favorite time for him. Russell is survived by his wife, Clarice; his daughter, Jolene Carl Whiting, Cedar Rapids, IA; his sons, Jenness special friend, Karen, Challis, ID, and Barry Cindy Emmett, ID; four grandchildren, Amanda Whiting, Justin Tracey Butterfield, and Eric and Briana Butterfield; great-grandchildren, Kaylee Butterfield and Bryce Butterfield; two sisters, Valeria McCahan, Velva, ND, and Laura Jim Schultz, Bismarck, ND; five nieces, Charlotte McCahan, Beth Carr, Mickie Buckley, Gail Hansen, and Joyce Schaffer and their families; and two nephews, Dale Butterfield and Gary Schultz. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mazie; and two brothers, Donald and Robert. Memorials may be given to Boys Town of Omaha, NE.

Russell Butterfield

February 11, 1931 - October 19, 2010