Russell Leger

Mundwiler & Larson Funeral Home announces the death of Russell Leger, age 86, of Ortonville, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2012 at St. John's Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at Mundwiler & Larson Funeral Home in Ortonville and continue one hour before the services at the church. Father Robert Goblirsch will be officiating. Burial will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville, MN.


Russell Francis Leger, son of Elmer and Florence (Reynolds) Leger, was born on April 19, 1925, in Anoka, Minnesota. He grew up in Elk River and was active in music and sports, graduating from Elk River High School in 1942. He attended St. John's University for one year, where he played trumpet in the band. From 1943 – 1945 he served in the United States Navy, where he was a gunner, as he was too tall to work in the submarines! Upon discharge he came back to work with his father in his gas station in Elk River. Russell also played on the town baseball and basketball teams and was the trumpet player for the Royal Elks Dance Band.

Russell met Gertrude Wenner through her aunt and uncle who lived in Elk River. On July 14, 1947, they were married in Royalton, Minnesota. To this union six children were born. They made their first home in Elk River. In 1951 they moved to Ortonville and he started Russ's Mileage Service Station. He also owned the building that contained the Theatre of Seasons Restaurant. In 1978 he retired from the station and began a 20 year career as a bus driver for the Ortonville School District, where he loved and was loved by all his passengers.

Russell had many interests, which included crossword puzzles, cards, dancing, hunting, sports (he played baseball with the Ortonville Rox and again played on the town basketball team), music (he played in the local Clown Band), and camping, where he was known to be a firebug! He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion and also a member of St. John's Catholic Church.

Above all, Russell was an outgoing, social people person! He never forgot a name and never forgot a friend.

Russell passed away on March 22, 2012 in Ortonville, Minnesota, having reached the age of 86 years.

Cherishing his memory are his wife, Gertrude; his sons: Tom (Anita) Leger of Montevideo, MN; Doug (Dawn) Leger of Ortonville; Jim (Annette) Leger of Andover, MN; and David (Terri) Leger of Elk Point, SD; his daughters: Linda Leger of Albertville, MN; and Michelle Wester (special friend Jeff Peterson) of Elk River, MN; 15 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers: Arthur and Leonard.