Alfred F. "Bud" Russell

FITCHBURG-Alfred (Bud) Russell passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014. He was born on his mother’s birthday, March 23, 1937, in Endeavor, the fourth child of Irving and Wilda (Eyers) Russell. He spent much of his childhood in Madison with his Uncle Louis and Aunt Irma Russell. On April 27, 1957, he married the love of his life, JoAnn Achterberg, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portage. Al graduated from Madison West High School in 1955. He was a respected HVAC designer for several Madison area engineering firms, including Olson and Associates, Arnold and O’Sheridan, Jaspal Engineering, and Associated Engineering. For several years, he owned and operated Alfie’s Drive-In in Oregon, Wis. He was honored to be a member of the Wisconsin National Guard 32nd Red Arrow Division and was called to active duty during the Berlin crisis in 1961. He was a member of the Oregon-Brooklyn American Legion. Al was also a member of Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church in Oregon and was a charter member of HMC’s council of the Knights of Columbus. He proudly served as Grand Knight for the HMC council and was also District Deputy for District 45. Additionally, he was a member of the Tri-County Assembly 1948 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Al was blessed with many talents and interests. He was able to fix almost anything. He developed a passion for photography and owned Russell’s Photography. He was an avid stamp collector, continuing the collection started by his Uncle Louis. He was a first-rate archery marksman and he enjoyed playing on the HMC dart ball team. A life-long Wisconsinite, he was a devoted Green Bay Packers fan. He loved music and nature and enjoyed watching birds at his feeders. He loved his family and was happiest when he was with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn; and his four children, Julie (Roger) Churchill of Fort Atkinson, Jeff (Linda) Russell of Wayland, Mich., Jennifer (Ken) Hansen of Fitchburg, and Janelle (Dan) LaFrombois of Stoughton. He is further survived by his nine grandchildren, Kate Churchill of Middleton, Amanda Hopp of Wayland, Mich., Andrew (Lana) Russell of Goose Creek, SC., Nick (Kori) Russell of Langley AFB, Va., Tyler and Ben Hansen of Madison, Jenna Hansen of Fitchburg, and Zachary and Brynn LaFrombois of Stoughton; and by his two great-grandchildren, Rylan Hainley and Landon Russell. He is also survived by his brother, Stuart (Rosemary) Russell of Oxford; his sister, Judy Girling of Wyocena; his in-laws, Eleanor Scheel of Madison, Nancy Schmidt of Oxford, and Leon (Ardis) Achterberg of Portage; his many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his dear friends, Bobby and Marilyn Darling. He was predeceased by his parents; his sister and her husband, Lorraine and Harold Hill; his in-laws, Lester and Margaret Achterberg, Jim Girling, Wilbert Scheel, and Willis Schmidt; his nephews, Don and Jeffery Hill; his niece, Shirley Scheel; and many other aunts, uncles and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Portage. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park St., Oregon. A Chalice Ceremony will be performed by the Knights of Columbus at the visitation beginning at 7:30 p.m. An additional visitation will be held at HMC church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials received will be used to establish a scholarship in Al’s name, to support the youth from Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church. The family would like to thank Father Gary Wankerl and our entire HMC family, the CLUB at the Oregon Senior Center and Heartland Hospice. We would also like to thank Barb Hill for the comfort and support she provided to Bud and our family. We are especially grateful to Al’s brother Knights for their gifts of love and friendship. Al and JoAnn would like to express their gratitude and love to their children who helped care for Al and made it possible for their father to stay in the home he loved. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.