Russel Lee Reed, 74, of Dent, Minnesota, passed away in the company of his wife Harriett in Chandler, AZ on April 23rd, 2022.
Russ was born in Kennebec, South Dakota on August 7th, 1947. He spent his earliest years on the family ranch near Kennebec eventually moving to Pierre, South Dakota in the seventh grade and graduating high school from there in 1965. He attended South Dakota State University where he graduated with a degree in agriculture economics in 1969. He married Harriett Johnson of Deadwood, South Dakota on January 25th, 1969. After graduation, he built a 30 year career as an agriculture salesman in Cherokee, Iowa and Tracy, Minnesota. During this time he and Harriett raised two sons (Frank and Jason). After retiring he and Harriett spent several years traveling to various destinations before settling on permanent residences in Dent, Minnesota and Casa Grande, Arizona.
Russ loved people and spent his time finding ways to connect with family, friends, colleagues, customers, and even perfect strangers. Many of those strangers would eventually become his friends. His love of people led him to pursue hobbies that would allow him to spend time with the friends he made along the way. If you ever had the good fortune to cross his path, you could expect him to have a conversation starter, story to tell, or a joke at the ready.
Russ is survived by his wife Harriett of 53 years, son Jason (Tina) Reed and grandchildren Joseph and Meghan of Vergas, Minnesota; granddaughter Jennifer Schulze of Marshall, Minnesota; brothers Mark (Viley) of Pierre, South Dakota and Elwood (Jean) of Poulson, Montana; along with several in laws, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Frank; his parents, Frank and Theo, and brothers Ronald and John.
Memorial services will be held at Lake Sara Baptist Church in Garvin, Minnesota at 11:00 AM with lunch to follow on Saturday, May 14, 2022. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the American Heart Association.