Russel Athey

Russel Athey, age 84, formerly of Big Stone City, died on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Fairway View.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Tabor United Methodist Church in Big Stone City. Rev. Melanie Reiners will officiate. Visitation will be at the church on Monday from 5 – 7 p.m.

Russel Athey was born June 29, 1932, in Big Stone County, Minnesota. He was the son of Lyle and Mary (Carlson) Athey.

He attended rural school. Russel was united in marriage with Janet Smith on September 20, 1953, at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville.

Russ farmed with his father until 1956. He worked road construction from 1958 – 1962. He moved his family to Lead, SD and worked in the gold mine until 1966. They returned to Big Stone City and Russ was employed with Frigo Cheese Factory from 1966 – 1969. He worked at Rausch Brothers Granite Company until 1980. He later did custom combining until he was disabled in 1985.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Janet Athey of Big Stone City, SD; children: Randy (Linda) Athey of Big Stone City, SD; Deborah Athey (friend, Rob) of Milbank, SD; Nancy (Arlyn) Birkholz of Wayzata, MN; Ronald(Ginger) Athey of Ortonville, MN; Kelly (Gayla) Athey of Ortonville, MN; Robin (Roger) Tietjen of Big Stone City, SD; and Monty (Lynn) Athey of Big Stone City, SD; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Elmer (Char) Athey of Big Stone City, SD; George (Rosie) Athey of Alexandria, MN; three sisters: Evy (Earl) Beyer of Alexandria, MN; Ginny (Rich) Stattleman of Clinton, MN; Dorothy Davidson of Gulf Port, MS; brothers-in-law: Elwyn Swihart of Newton, IA; Aaron (Sharon) Smith of Big Stone City, SD; sisters-in-law: Marilyn Athey of Milbank, SD, Faye Athey of Big Stone City, SD, Eileen Athey of Chokio, MN, Marlys Athey of Clinton, MN, Barb Athey of Clinton, MN, and Arvilla Bergseth of Ortonville, MN;

Russel was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: James, Floyd, Stanley, Leroy, Richard (LeAnn) two sisters: Mary Jane (Harold) Synhorst and Addie Swihart; one grandson, Jason; sister-in-law, Darlene (Leo) Barnhardt; brothers-in-law: Lawrence Bergseth and Harley Davidson.