Russell L. Richardson

Russell Lowell Richarson entered into eternal rest Thursday, February 29, 2024, after a short stay at Mercy Walworth, due to complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Russ was born in Boscobel, WI, July 15, 1936. His family moved around a bit, but he landed in rural Darien, WI. He graduated from Darien High School in 1955.

It was in Darien that he met his future wife, Danielle M. Duvall, who admits to chasing him a bit, to win his affections. They were married in Walworth, on September 7, 1956, with Pat and Hardy Kroeze standing up for them.

Russ joined the US Army in 1958, and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He served at the 38th Parallel in Korea. Upon his return from Korea, he was stationed in Virginia at Fort Belvoir. He was honorably discharged from the Army in August 1961.

After returning from the Army, he and Danielle settled down in Delavan, and Russ started his trucking career that spanned over 40 years. He started as an owner operator, but sold his truck to take on a driving job at Sta-Rite in Delavan. There he worked with life-long friends Ernie Kalb and Steve Kelly. Eventually he returned to the owner operator business and leased with Warren Transport, Inc, out of Dubuque, Iowa. Wanting to spend more time with his family, he once again sold his trucks and started hauling heavy equipment with Mann Bros in Elkhorn in the 80’s. He retired from Mann Bros, at 62, but he couldn’t quite give it up, and worked for a few years driving for Tom Glendening in Darien, teaching Tom’s son, Will, how to drive.

In late 1963 they bought a house in Allen Grove, WI. Russ was the one who instigated the adoption of their daughter, Danica in 1966, and later their son, Russell Lee, in 1969. He loved spending time with his family, especially camping, taking us all over Wisconsin fishing and hiking on the weekends, and attending school and sports events for Rusty and Danica.

In 1976 they bought a house in Darien. He started refurbishing old farm tractors, especially John Deere. He showed them in the local parades and had built a pole barn on the property to accommodate his passion. Inside the house, he’d taken over the main room in the basement and had a huge model train set up. You couldn’t walk in the room without ducking under the train tables to come up in the middle! He had the stereo down there, and blasted his polka music so loud it shook the house. He was also a fan of the old country music, of which he had a large collection of 8-track tapes. He also started his collection of toy John Deere tractors and farm equipment, refurbishing them as well, until the end.

They bought a 5th wheel camper and would spend winters down south in Florida and Arizona. After downsizing and selling their house in Darien in early 2000’s, they bought a mobile home in Delavan and the camper was stationed in San Juan Gardens in San Juan, Tx. They would spend winters there, and summers in Delavan.

In early 2000’s the Grounds Keeper, Jim Knulty, at Big Foot Country Club in Fontana, where Danica worked, asked if Russ would be interested in mowing the rough on the golf course. It worked out well, as he liked to golf, to be outside, and he could still go south for the winter as the golf course was closed November to April. He was there for 18 seasons. He made many friends while working there, including Bob Lewellen, Lloyd Romie and Dave Bauman. He met many of the members and would stop and talk to them. The ladies, of course, would always wave to him while golfing.

He became ill with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, that forced him to quit his job, about 5 years ago. He spent most of the last 4 years on oxygen, which limited his ability to get out and do the things he loved to do. They ended up selling the camper in Texas as it became too much for both of them to travel.

He was visited by, and spent many hours talking on the phone with life-long friends, Ernie Kalb, Steve Kelly, Lyle Eichman, Jerry Sheahan, Red Cunningham and Dick Lovell during the last few years.

We want to thank all the people who have called, messaged, sent cards and visited during the last week. It is truly appreciated. He was a man with a big heart that will be missed by everyone who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 68 years, Danielle, and his daughter Danica both of Delavan, WI. His one and only grandchild, Camden Horner and his Fiancée Nicole Cullen of Greenfield, WI, brother Rick Richardson of Earlville, IL, Aunt Sue Schuller of Arkansas. Sister-in-law Chris Moore and brother-in-law Michael Moore of Allen Grove, WI. Former son-in-law and his wife, Jeff and Jill Horner of Lake Geneva, WI, who helped with things around the house when Russ couldn’t. Many cousins, nieces, grand-nieces, nephews and grand-nephews around the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Florence Richardson, a brother, Raymond Richardson of Paw Paw, IL, his son Russell Lee Richardson (Rusty) of Milwaukee, WI, in-laws Daniel and Helen Duvall of Allen Grove, WI. Sister-in-law, Helen Timm of Delavan, WI, brother-in-laws Richard Duvall of Elkhorn, WI, Bill Timm of Fort Atkinson, WI, and Don Duvall of Allen Grove, WI. Nephews Daniel Lee Moore, of Allen Grove, WI, Dennis Richardson of Connecticut, and niece, Susan Richardson of Connecticut, and many uncles, aunts and cousins.

Per Russ’s request there won’t be funeral services. He will be cremated, and interred at Mt. Phillips Cemetery, at a later date. Lazarczyk Family Funeral Homes of Delavan is proudly serving the family.