Russell Swanson

Russell A. "Russ" Swanson, age 64 of Melrose, died Wednesday, October 12, 2011 after heart surgery at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Inurnment will be held privately at a later date.

Russell Arno Swanson was born December 27, 1946 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Carroll and Emma "Lela" (Ittner) Swanson. He was united in marriage to Paulette Folwick-Decker on September 7, 1968 at the Grey Eagle United Methodist Church in Grey Eagle. The couple lived in Minneapolis for 15 years after their marriage where Russ was employed at Sears as a radio repairman. They moved to Melrose where Russ worked at Kraft Foods for over 25 years until his retirement. He loved fishing, especially in Canada and also enjoyed playing chess.

Russ was a member of the U.S. Chess Federation and was the president of the St. Cloud Chess Club at the Whitney Center.

Survivors include his wife, Paulette Swanson of Melrose; daughters, Amiee (Todd) Haarstick of Erhard and Chrissy (Paul) Ayotte of West Fargo, North Dakota; mother-in-law, Lillian Decker of Melrose; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Dr. Jim) Mohs of Melrose and Mary Decker of Melrose; and his beloved three grand puppies and two grand kitties.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ralph Swanson; and brother-in-law, David Decker.