Obituary of Russ Nielson
Russell Bruce Nielson
(January 6, 1946 – January 13, 2023)
Russell Bruce Nielson passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 13, 2023 at the age of 77 years.
Russ was the youngest son born to Axel and Ellen Nielson (né Soderstrom), January 6, 1946, in Vermilion, AB. At a young age, his family moved to the farm near Kelsey, AB. His childhood was being a typical boy on a farm, playing sports, and going with the family to church. It was there he learned the Bible and became aware of a saving faith in Christ. He was married to Susan Liner for 31 years when she passed of cancer. During that time, Russ worked for Swift Canadian Meat Packers in Edmonton. In 1973, he moved his family back to a farm near Rosalind, AB. July 1987 Russ obtained his real estate licence, embarking on a 29-year career. He worked for Coldwell Banker until 1989 when he moved over to Central Agencies Inc. In March 2002, he switched to Royal LePage Real Estate until his retirement in 2016. Russ loved working with his clients and served them well. There were many memorable occasions in his life during these years. In 1997, he and Pauline were married in this church. They are active members and Russ was baptized here in 2001. He enjoyed serving as the church moderator for a term.
Russ’s interests included curling, which he enjoyed playing earlier in his life, travelling, watching sports, socializing with dear friends, his family, and associates, and recently participating in the men’s breakfast through his church.
Russ served the community as president of the Camrose Chamber of Commerce in 1998, director for the Progressive Conservative Party 1985 – 1995, the Farm Labor Pool, Ankerton Gas Co-op and Unifarm.
Russ was a respected, caring, and generous man. He was deeply loved by so many who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Left to cherish Russ’s memory are his wife Pauline Nielson; his children Monica (Wayne) Hock, and Brent Nielson; his step-children Joeline Gascoyne, Trina (Kevin) Peterson, Jonathan (Kate) Wilson, and Brendon (Alecia) Wilson; his grandchildren Kelsey and Ethan Hock, Madison and Keaton McCarthy, Austin, Nathan, Luke and Lena Peterson, Daphne Wilson and Summer Wilson; and siblings June (Fred) Rittammer, Howard (Renee) Nielson, and Audrey Wakariuk.
Russ was predeceased by his wife Susan Nielson; brother Milton Nielson; parents Axel and Ellen Nielson; brother-in-law Ernie Wakariuk; and nephew Drew Wakariuk.
A Funeral Service was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the Rose City Baptist Church, 6406 44b Ave, Camrose, AB with Rev. Josh Handford officiating.
The service will be livestreamed and accessible at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEA9H9sOTtVQ3azOAddoPsA .
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Russ’s memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, or to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
