Obituary: Russell Gilliss

Russell L. Gilliss, 90, of New Rockford, passed away Feb. 16, 2019, at Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo, N.D. The funeral was held Feb. 21 at the First Congregational Church in New Rockford. Rev. Mindy Meier officiated, and special music was provided by Alicia Vorland and Doreen Taylor. Military honors were provided by the American Legion Raymond B. Thorn Post #30 and U.S. Navy Funeral Honors Team. Casket bearers were his grandsons. Honorary bearers were his granddaughters.

Russell LeRoy Gilliss was born Sept. 14, 1928 at Juanita, Foster County, N.D. to Morris and Edna (Parker) Gilliss. He attended Lake Washington School and New Rockford High School where he excelled in athletics. After graduating from high school he enrolled in college at the North Dakota School of Science. During the off seasons he operated heavy equipment for Archie Campbell Construction. He graduated with an associate of arts degree, and he was drafted into the Engineer and Boat Shore Company in the Fifth Army.

While on leave he married Franzella Brown on Aug. 19, 1951 at the Methodist Church in New Rockford. He was stationed along with the 369th Amphibious Support Group at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada. He was a participant in the atomic bomb testing and was four miles from Ground Zero when the blasts occurred and was moved to Ground Zero to assess damage afterward. The family moved back to New Rockford and he began a 35 year career with Archie Campbell Inc.

Russell is survived by his children: Barb (Roger) Caine, Vicky (Paul) Walker, Roselyn Watson, Buster (Pat) Gilliss, Doug Gilliss, and Bruce (Renae) Gilliss; 18 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; one brother, Archie (Marveen) Gilliss, and one sister, DeLaura Dodds, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Russell was preceded in death by his wife; a daughter-in-law, Kristin Gilliss; his parents; grandparents; a brother and sister in-law, Don and Joy Brown; a brother-in-law Jackson Dodds and his mother and father-in-law, Maynard and Frances Brown.

Arrangements made by Evans Funeral Home, N.D.