Russell E. Fuhlendorf, 70

Russell E. Fuhlendorf, 70, a resident of the Kootenai Valley for the past 66 years, died May 20 at his home. He had been a longtime employee of the St. Regis Paper Co. and Champion International in Libby until his retirement.

Russell was born Nov. 3, 1949, in Palo Alto, Calif., to Gus and Leonora Fuhlendorf. He came to Libby with his family in 1954, attended public school in Libby and graduated from Libby High School in 1968. He went on to Western Technical College in Denver in 1970 and returned to Libby after graduation. He had been a longtime member of Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2581.

He married Carol Thede on March 16, 1973. His greatest enjoyment was his family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and loved spending time with the family. Russell enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and camper when he wasn’t cross-country skiing and ice-skating. He also was an avid reader during much of his life.

Surviving him is his wife, Carol; his children, Jerad Fuhlendorf (Rhonda), Flavia Fuhlendorf (Mike) and Gavin Fuhlendorf (Carma); his grandchildren, Brook, Chelsea, Devan, Adam, Dakota, Jason, McKenna and Grayson; a great-granddaughter, Mariela; and sisters Sheryl Vinson and Laura Street.

Services will be held at a later date. You are invited to share condolences and memories online by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.