Russell H. Kivi

Russell H. Kivi, age 88 of Dassel died on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at the Hutchinson Health Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday March 23, 2018 at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Darwin. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, March 22nd at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Russell Howard Kivi, the son of Oscar and Aina (Anderson) Kivi, was born on Janaury 15, 1930 in Minneapolis, MN. He grew up in Cokato and graduated from Cokato High School in 1947. Following high school he served in the US Army from 1948 until 1952. Following his service in the military he worked for AT&T in Bismarck, ND. On August 28, 1954, he was united in marriage to Helen LeQuire in Grafton ND. They lived in Bismarck, Grafton, Cokato, Marshall and Dassel. He work for the phone company for 37 years retiring in the mid eighties. Russell was a member of the Masons and the Shriners. He also was a member of the American Legion for 60 years. Russell enjoyed fixing and building things, visiting with friends and playing bingo. He also enjoyed collecting light houses. He cherished his family and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Helen Kivi of Dassel, children Terah Kivi of Longmont, CO, Kelly (Tom) Berreau of Robbinsdale, Mary (Doug) Desens of Litchfield, Shelly (Clint) Christians of Watkins, Marc (Lynn) Kivi of Big Lake; grandchildren Haakon and Asa Anderson, Danielle (Spencer) Johnson, Travis (Rhiannon) Pankake, Andrew and Alexa Desens, Kendra and Lukas Christians; great grandchildren Ayva, Lola, Bela, and William Pankake, Gracie and Avery Johnson, and Caroline Desens. He is also survived by his brothers Kenny (Mary) Kivi of Minneapolis, LeRoy Kivi of South Haven, Gordy Kivi of Madison Lake, and Jerry (Deanna) Kivi of Eagan; sister-in-law Jeanette Kivi of Minneapolis. He was preceded by his parents, brothers Phil and John; sisters Mary Jane, Ruth, Lorraine, Carol Jean; and sisters-in-law JoAnn and Nancy and a great grandson Erik Anderson.