Russell Pomerenke, 78

Russell “Bud” Charles Pomerenke, 78, Northeast Minneapolis, passed away September 26, 2011.

Russell was born August 4, 1933 at home in Alexandria to Julius and Annabell (Lucas) Pomerenke. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church and confirmed May 25, 1947 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Miltona.

After his family moved to rural Miltona, they farmed with no running water, a wood-burning stove and no electricity until the late 1940s. Russell attended school through the 8th grade at District 69, which would now be Miltona Carlos Road NE. The school house was moved to the Douglas County Fairgrounds, modeling as a historical school with only one room showing how all eight grades were taught in those days.

Russell was on his own at age 15, becoming a logger in Oregon. He returned to Minnesota and met Shirley Jean Landeen and they married on September 10, 1954. After he joined the Army and finished boot camp, he was assigned to the 101st Air Borne. He made many jumps and was proud to be part of the Screaming Eagles.

After his discharge, Russell served as a depot agent in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1959, they settled in Northeast Minneapolis and in 1961 bought their current home. Russell worked for Foley Mfg. for 28 years and also for Covanta Energy (Minneapolis Incinerator) for about 10 years.

Russell was outgoing and had a compliment for everyone. He loved sports, hunting, fishing and dancing. After nearly 50 years of marriage, he lost his beloved wife Shirley in December 2003. He met Marge and together they enjoyed dancing, bingo, walking club and traveling. In 2008, he was named Prince of Four Winds and served as a member of St. Paul’s Winter Carnival Senior Royalty.

His passion was working with youth in many different sports, loved umpiring where he could keep in touch with many of the youth whom he coached. Russell had a chance to go to the minors to become a professional umpire, but refused, because he wanted to stay close to his family and the “Nordeast Community.”

He is survived by four children, Melody Pomerenke, Rick (Kathy) Pomerenke, Lisa (William) Brandon and John (Anne) Pomerenke; 10 grandchildren, Josie Jaroscak, Vanessa (Frank) Slattery, Theresa Lee Vierrelher, Rick II and Kelli Pomerenke, Austin, Casey and Mick Brandon, Leo and Oskar Pomerenke; two great-grandsons, Brayden Slattery and Riley Vierrelher; brother, William Pomerenke; sisters-in-law, Jenny Pomerenke, Jeanne (Hanson) Landeen; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gertrude (Landeen) and Gerald Hoppe.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Clara (Schulke-Anderson) Pomerenke; stepfather Edwin Jobe; wife, Shirley; sister, AnnaMay Cory; brother, Merlin; and brother-in-law, John Landeen; sisters-in-law, Genevieve (Zwieg) Lamm and Joan Pomerenke.

Service was held September 30 at The Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Anthony with Pastor Gerald Peterson officiating. Interment was at Hillside Cemetery. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were pallbearers.

Arrangements were with Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home.

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