Russell Morris Christensen was born near Centerville, SD on April 18, 1921, the son of Nels and Helga Christensen. He passed away on August 8, 2019 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home in Viborg, SD at the age of 98.

Russell attended grade school in country schools near Centerville and Parker and graduated from Wakonda Public High School in 1941. After graduation he worked on his father's farm and then for his uncle, Miller Christiansen, on his farm near Viborg until he and his brother started a trucking and corn shelling business in Wakonda. In 1947, he married Priscilla Jensen and also bought his brother's share of the business. Russell operated the business until moving to Beresford in 1972. During his years in Wakonda he was an active member of the Masons, the Wakonda business community, and on the School Board for a number of years.

After moving to Beresford, he worked with Priscilla at the Cotton Shop, the business they owned and operated until 1986. He also worked as a representative for Mormon Feeds and as a carpenter on many buildings around Beresford. Priscilla passed away in 1987.

In March of 1989 he married Marjorie Moen and they continued to live in Beresford until moving to Sioux Falls. Marjorie passed away in 2007. Russell moved to the Inn on Westport in 2011 where he resided until March of this year when he moved to the nursing home in Viborg.

He is survived by his son, Bruce Christensen and his wife, Janna, of Bozeman, Montana; his daughter,  Pam Christensen and her friend, David Blair, of Sioux Falls; three grandchildren, Anna (Brett) Safranski of Bozeman, Sara (Ryan) Tysdal of Sioux Falls and Erik Christensen of Bozeman; seven great-grandchildren;  stepsons, Dan (Ardis) Moen of Aberdeen and Joe (Jonna) Moen of Waseca and their families. He is also survived by five sisters-in-law, Francis Christensen, Ruth Christensen, Shirley Shroeder, Verona Moen and Marguereite Preheim.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Priscilla, and their infant daughter; his wife, Marjorie; his stepson, Jerry; four brothers, Curtis, Virgil, Ellsworth, Dale and sister, Fern Sorenson.

A memorial service will be held August 28 at 11AM at the Beresford Zion Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his name to Dakota Abilities in Sioux Falls at: Dakotabilities.org or DakotAbilities, 1116 S. 4 ^th Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.