Sadly, Russell Vodden passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at the Preeceville Long Term Care Centre at the age of 93. He was born on October 6, 1923 to Bert and Agnes (Will) on the family farm about 8 miles NE of Sturgis. Russell was raised on the family farm and attended Kopje School. Russell lived his life being "from Sturgis!". On September 16, 1958 Russell married Betty Lou Anderson. He was active in the community and his lifestyle included playing many sports and games. "Sharky" played pool/snooker; was the First Base man inducted to the SK Baseball Hall of Fame, Stenen Baseball Team; curled and curled some more; took up golfing in his 60's, Russell loved golfing and made many friends including his best buddy, Pat Osatiuk. He loved puzzles, doing pages and pages of Sudoku and Word Find and he played so very many card games. How did he always know the cards everyone else held? He was in the Royal Canadian Air Force, on the Canora Credit Union, Sturgis Branch, Board of Directors, a Member of the Royal Canadian Legion, on the Sturgis Sports and Rodeo Committee. In addition to volunteering his time and playing hard, Russell farmed and worked at various locations throughout his life including logging, at the garage on the corner, the auction mart and farm auctions, as well as being a farm equipment parts man, caretaker of the Legion Hall, the Sturgis curling rink ice maker and was a school bus driver, to name a few. Russell will be missed by his daughters Leanne (Glenn Geber) and Cyndi (Doug McLaughlin); grandchildren Christopher, Amanda (Mike LeBlanc) Geber; Tyler (Norah) and Morgan Surcon and great-grandsons Ryker and Alexander; his sister Joyce Prekaski; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Betty (Anderson) in 2006, his parents, brother Jimmy and sister Jessie. A Prayer Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2017 at the Grace United Church in Sturgis with the Rev. Miles Russell officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
