Russell Henningsgaard

Russell Arden Henningsgaard was born May 14, 1922 in Little Sauk, MN, the son of Oscar and Sophie (Nelson) Henningsgaard.  He was baptized as an infant at Little Sauk Lutheran Church and also again at the age of eighty-eight. As a child Russell moved with his family to a farm southeast of Alexandria, MN when he was four. He grew up on the farm and had a beautiful and loving relationship with his parents and siblings. As a child he spent a lot of time hunting and trapping. He worked with his father milking and farming the land. Following his graduation from Alexandria High School in 1940, Russell continued his education at a trade school in Glenwood.

During World War II Russell joined the United States Army Air Corps. He served in Gulfport, MS, San Antonio, TX and Enid, OK as an B-25 aircraft mechanic. While in Gulfport, Russell’s high school sweetheart came to visit. Russell was united in marriage, on his 21st birthday in 1942, to Evelyn Rounds in Gulfport. Evelyn remained with Russell as he completed his service to his country. After the war, they moved their growing family to Rockford, IL where Russell operated a grocery store and worked as a machinist in a factory.

In 1956 the Henningsgaards returned to Alexandria where Russell purchased a farm and began working as a dairy farmer. Russell was a man of many talents; he was able to do his own carpentry, plumbing, mechanical repairs and other work. Russell returned to school to learn tool and die making at the Alexandria Technical College. Russell took on two full time machinist jobs in the Twin cities and came home to do farm work on the weekends. Russell and Evelyn also ran Badger Sanitary for many years developing a customer base of at least 2500 households. He loved meeting people and visiting with them. Following the sale of Badger Sanitary in 2000 Russell retired at the age of seventy-nine. In 2009 Evelyn passed away. Following her death Russell was united in marriage in 2011 to Lois (Kiehne) Rosenquist.

Russell’s work was his hobby. He loved farming and caring for the animals. He also loved fixing and building things.  He built his own house in Rockford and built another house for his family in Alexandria. He also enjoyed using his skills to restore old cars. Russell liked western movies, polka music, fishing and deer hunting and he loved his coffee. Most important to Russell was his family. He was a devoted family man and loved spending time with them.

On Saturday, November 4, 2017 Russell died at the age of ninety-five years. In his final days he was surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn Henningsgaard; son, Gareth Henningsgaard; and a sister, Vivian Dougherty. Russell is survived by his wife, Lois Henningsgaard of Alexandria; son, Russell “Rusty” D. Henningsgaard of Alexandria; daughters, Sharon Clifford and husband, George, of Scottsdale, AZ. Susan Moore and husband, Virgil, of Kimberling, MO and Deanna McCabe of Alexandria; step-son, Dennis and wife Gloria Rosenquist of Brainerd, MN; grandchildren, Jacob Henningsgaard, Jordan Henningsgaard, Scott Clifford, Courtney Clifford, Matt Clifford, Gabriel Henningsgaard, Jessie Henningsgaard, Jason Henningsgaard, Nathan McCabe, Riley McCabe, Jenny Kordiak, Janessa Wasieleski, Sara Torrence and Kali Mandile; twenty great grandchildren; brother, Roger Henningsgaard and wife, Darlene, of Bloomington, MN; sisters, Joyce Miller of Plymouth, MN and Joann Hill and husband, Dan, of New Brighton, MN; brother-in-law, Keith Dougherty of Alexandria; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 11 AM, Friday, November 10, 2017 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Nathan Thompson will officiate. Interment will follow in the Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria.  A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria, MN. www.andersonfuneral.net