Russell Lee

Russell (Russ) Lee, 85, retired Staples educator, died Feb. 17, 2025 at his home in Washington state.

There will be a reception at Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Staples at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 12, followed immediately be a graveside service at St. James Cemetery in Philbrook.

Russ was born March 4, 1939 in Gradesville, Wisconsin. He grew up working on his father’s farm and later on a fishing resort his parents purchased. After high school he attended and graduated from University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He joined the U.S. Air Force in the early 1960s and received his pilot’s training, but never served overseas.

He married Arlene Kovash Dec. 18, 1965 in St. Paul. Russ worked as a commercial charter pilot, as a flight instructor and started his teaching career in Staples in 1972. He taught social studies and history until retiring in 2001. During his years teaching, Russ and several other faculty members started and supervised a mock election class during presidential election years.

Before retiring, Russ and Kay Pettit, faculty member, started and suprevised a class called Senior Seminar, where high school seniors had to plan a public service project, have it approved by an appropriate governing body, then carry out the project, all in their final semester of high school. 

Russ was a volunteer firefighter with the Staples Fire Dept., retiring after 20 years. An avid history buss, Russ was a member of the Old Wade Society, serving as treasurer, and helping to stage the annual Old Wadena Rendezvous. He was awarded the group’s Friend of Old Wadena award in 2024.

Russ was also an avid outdoorsman, fisherman and hunter.

Russ is sruvived by two sons, Sean (Jamie) of Metairie, Louisiana and Josh (Jen) of Portland, Oregon; four grandchildren, Josh, Jordan and Alexa of Louisiana and Alice of Oregon; six great-grandchildren, Grayson, Scarlett, Millie, Harrison, Elliot and Noah.

His wife, Arlene, preceded Russ in death in 2020.

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