OBITUARIES
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Friday, February 13, 2004
Russell C. Cumberland Sr.
1917-2004
OWATONNA -- Russell C. Cumberland Sr., 86, of Owatonna, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.
He was born Dec. 4, 1917 in Mantorville, the son of Clyde and Christine (Beck) Cumberland. In 1930 at the age of 13, Russell started buying furs with his father. During the depression his father along with himself and his brother, bought wooded areas to clear and sell to supplement the family income. He graduated from Mantorville High School in 1937. He then started buying furs for Oshmans in Mankato. With the outbreak of WWII he served in the U.S. Army from 1942-45. Russell married Marilyn Troxil on May 11, 1946 in Mankato. They moved to Owatonna in 1946 and he raised ranch mink and bought furs for Stevens Hide and Fur until 1961. He then started Cumberland Hide and Fur Company, which his son Rusty now operates.
Russell had been a conservationist all of his life, devoting much of his energy to preserving nature and wildlife. He enjoyed the outdoors, spending time in his garden, fishing, trapping, and hunting.
Russell is survived by his son Rusty (and Theresa) Cumberland, of Medford; his daughter Susan (and Richard) Voss of Brainerd; his step-son Lee Cumberland of North Port, Fla.; and his brother Donald Cumberland of Richfield; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife and two brothers.
Visitation will be held at Michaelson Funeral Home on Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m. Funeral services will be held Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004 at 3 p.m. at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna. The Rev. Ronald Gilthvedt of Our Savior's Lutheran Church will be officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Mantorville.
Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and Minnesota Trappers Association Scholarship Fund.
