Russell M. Spilde Jr.

Russell M. Spilde Jr.

April 01, 1947 - November 22, 2023

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Obituary

Middleton - Russell M. Spilde Jr., age 76, of Middleton, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at SSM Health-St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on April 1, 1947, in Forsyth, Mont., the son of Russell Spilde Sr. and Karen Warren.


Russell graduated from Oregon High School in 1965. He continued his education, graduating from Madison Business College a few years later. He married Marianne Jones at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa in 1985.


Russell worked as an accountant and compliance manager at Cuna Mutual for 25 years. After retiring from Cuna, he joined the team at the Wisconsin Division of Indian Gaming as lead auditor for 13 years. Russell enjoyed gambling and telling jokes. He was a long-time member at Madison Elks Lodge. His real joy was running in marathons and ultra-marathons for many years.


Russell is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marianne; brother, Mitch (Jan) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; brother-in-law, Martin (Janet) Jones and their daughter, Chrissy; and sister-in-law, Julia. He was preceded in death by his father, Russell, in 2005 and his mother, Karen, in 1984.


Russell’s family and friends were blessed to have this very special man in their lives.  Russ touched the lives of so many and made friends wherever he went.  


The family wants to express a special thank you to nurses Helen Bryan, Lisa and Krista.  They are also so grateful to chaplains Steve and Bill Helton.  The members of St. Mary’s surrounded Russell and his family with love and kindness.  The family will be forever grateful to them for that.  


"I’m a legend in my own mind, I'm a million short of being a millionaire."


A celebration of life will be held at a later date.


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761


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Russell
SB
Sandy Topercer Bury
Other •
Dear Mimi, Mitch, Jan and family. We are heartbroken after hearing about Chips’ passing. Everyone in our extended family loved him - Mom and Dad enjoyed his love of family; brother Jack loved exchanging letters filled with humor and phone calls thru the years; and Jan and I being the younger cousins who thought he was a really “cool” guy. Our thoughts are with you as we all remember a very special man in our lives.
JN
Jim Northrup
Other •
Russ was a co-worker of mine at CUNA Mutual for decades. He was also a fellow runner in the Madison running circle back in those days. Russ was one of the most positive, motivating, and upbeat persons I've ever met and liked him alot. It's sad to hear of his passing.
DS
Dave Sauk
Other •
Sorry for such a great loss . Russ was my Tread mill Buddy for along time . I always looked forward to seeing Russ because we talked sports about my Granddaughter who played sports and politics and anything else that was going on in the world.I can tell you i truly am going to miss him our time ent so fast just talking to each other .My last time seeing Russ was last monday and he talked about seeing his brother in Arizona. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY GOOD BYE MY GOOD FRIEND. DAVE SAUK
WF
Woody Feggestqd
Other •
Chips, I will miss you - and hearing the latest joke. Wait - I heard that one before! Mimi, you have our sincere sympathies. Woody and Lila Feggestad What a great cousin.
KB
Kaye Baus
Other •
So very sorry to read of Chips passing. My thoughts are with you, Mimi, Mitch and family.
CC
Chuck Crawford
Other •
I knew Russ for over 50 years and was fortunate to exercise with him at st Mary’s for the last two months of his life. Rest in peace Russ you were a very good person. Your friend Chuck Crawford

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