Russell Raymond “Rusty” Tufvander, 86, of Littlefork, Minn., passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at Littlefork Care Center.
Rusty was born July 15, 1925, in Duluth, Minn. He was raised in Tower, Minn., and graduated from Tower High School in 1943.
He served in the United States Navy during World War II.
He logged in Orr, Minn., after his service in the U.S. Navy.
Rusty met Phyllis Mae Staples in August of 1946, and they were married Dec. 9, 1946, in Littlefork. They initially lived in Tower, moved to Littlefork in 1948 and have lived there since.
Rusty was an avid fisherman; he grew up fishing Lake Vermilion from his family’s island. In later years, they spent many weekends at Morson Provincial Park on Lake of the Woods, along with Upper Red Lake and Bad Vermilion.
He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9641 and served as Quartermaster for many years.
Rusty took great joy in his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Albin and Fanny Mae (Crawford) Tufvander; brothers, George Tufvander, Ellis (and wife Irene) Tufvander; and sister, Irma Tufvander.
Rusty is survived by his wife, Phyllis Tufvander of Littlefork; sons, Russell Larry (Janet) of Northome, Minn., Jerry of Stillwater, Minn., Lee (Frances) of Brooklyn Park, Minn., Kim of Littlefork, and Kent (special friend Linda Olson) of Cambridge, Minn.; daughters, Susan (Ed) Hertel of Millington, Tenn., and Beth (Tim) Gable of International Falls, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Marlene Tufvander of Chatfield, Minn., Helen Staples of Aurora, Colo., and Ann Staples of International Falls; 19 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the 2 p.m. memorial service Saturday, April 7, at Evangelical Free Church, Littlefork.
Interment will be at Oakley Cemetery, Littlefork, with full military rites.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Littlefork VFW Post 9641, the Littlefork Ambulance Service, or Evangelical Free Church.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
