Russell VANDUSEN

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VANDUSEN: Russell Irvine 1910 - 2009. Russell Vandusen passed away in the Souris Personal Care Home on April 13, 2009 at the age of 99years with his family by his side. Russell was born on the home farm 35-5-23 WPM in the RM of Cameron on March 7, 1910 to John and Lorena (Hodgson) Vandusen, the fourth child in a family of six. He married Isobel Jean Duchesneau on October 12, 1946. After nearly 62 years of marriage Isobel passed away October 8, 2008. He was predeceased by his wife, Isobel, parents John and Lorena, brothers Ernest (Winnie), Lawrence, Herman and Gordon (Edith), and sister Kathleen MacDonald (Jim) and niece Marlene and her husband John Morgan. He is survived by nephews and nieces, their families and many friends. Russell received his education at Whitewater and Hartney schools. Russell was always an avid baseball fan. He played baseball with the Whitewater ball club and was the last secretary treasurer when the club disbanded in 1931. He and Isobel attended many baseball games, following the Souris Cardinals and Riverside Canucks. He was a member of the Hartney I.O.O.F. # 25 fraternal lodge from 1945 until it disbanded in 2003. He was an active lifetime member of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church and took part in all its functions. He also played the saxophone in the Love-Vandusen orchestra playing at many dances and concerts over the years. Russell retired from farming in 1968 when he and Isobel moved to Hartney. He worked for various farmers for a few years. Possessed of a good mind and memory, he was keenly interested in agriculture, the cattle industry and world affairs. In later years he really enjoyed hanging out at the Red Door Café for coffee and maybe supper and discussing the problems of the day with his friends. A favourite of his at the Red Door Café was coffee, soup and of course, cheese cake. Gone but not forgotten.Funeral services were held at the Hartney Centennial Centre, Friday, April 17 with Reverend Barbara Alston officiating. Private interment was in the Riverside Cemetery, Hartney, Manitoba. In memory of Russell, donations may be made to a charity if your choice.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 25, 2009