Pastor Russell C. Lee

The Reverend Dr. Russell C. Lee was born on April 26, 1932, on the family farm near Fosston, MN. He died Friday, August 17, 2018 of leukemia. Russell was the fifth of eight children born to Elmer and Hilda (Fjerstad) Lee. He grew up on the farm, attended Lade country school, the NW School of Agriculture in Crookston, MN, and the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN. He earned degrees from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN and McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. He served as assistant pastor for four years at Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre, SD, and as a senior pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM  for 33 years.  Following his retirement at the end of 1997, he served as a part time pastor at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Albuquerque and Union Church in Stanley, NM, in addition to providing pastoral services of various types in churches of many denominations.  Russell was an avid reader and kept himself informed in many subjects, especially theology, spirituality, ethics, and politics. He was also an advocate of a nonviolent lifestyle, and had a special caring heart and concern for people dealing with loss and grief. He was into physical fitness and was a well-known jogger. He had a special interest in genealogy and over a period of many years did extensive research resulting in the publication of several family history documents. His love for his family and his concern  for their wellbeing was a primary passion of his life. He was pleased when people described him as a positive thinking visionary with a keen mind, compassionate heart, strength of character, and spiritual sensitivity.

Russell is survived by his wife, Helen; his daughters, Deborah Baxa and Valerie Piper; and by his grandchildren, Synneva Foster and husband, Shane Foster, and Miranda Piper. He is also survived by his step-sons, Joseph Viker and his wife, Gulmira and their daughter Acel; Brian Viker and his wife, Jessica, and their children Patyn, Rylie, And Ryane.  Other survivors include his sisters, Carol Wold and Ilane Rue of Fosston, MN; his step-brothers, Howard Johnson of Mesa, AZ, and Willard Johnson of Ellenton, FL. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine, who died of cancer in 1990. He was also preceded in death by  his mother, Hilda who died in 1941;  his father, Elmer who died in 1983; his step-mother, Viola who died in 1996; his brother, Ernest who died in 1974; his sister, Eunice who died in 2003; his brother, Lester who died in 2004; his brother, Dennis who died 2011; his son-in-law, Bob Piper who died in 2016; his son-in-law, Mark Baxa who died in 2017; and his brother, Harris who died in 2017.

Russell was a member of Community of Joy Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM. Recently Russell wrote: “ I have lived a long and fruitful life and I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had to experience and express faith, hope, and love. I continue to entrust my life into God’s care. I am at peace with God, with myself and with family and friends. Thanks to all of you for sharing this journey with me. I hope these words from the Bible found in Second Timothy 4:6-8 are fitting for me.  ‘As for me… the time of my departure has come. I have fought the  good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge will give to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.ʹ”  A  Graveside Service will be held Saturday, September 8, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd , Albuquerque, NM  with a Memorial Service to follow at 1:30 p.m. Faith  Lutheran Church, 10000 Spain NE, Albuquerque, NM. Please visit our online guestbook for Russell at www.FrenchFunerals.com.

FRENCH - Lomas

10500 Lomas Blvd. NE

(505) 275-3500

www.frenchfunerals.com