Russell C. McMenimen

Russell Charles McMenimen, 93, died Sunday, November 9, 2008 at his home in Apache Junction, AZ. Graveside Services will be held 3:00 P.M. Saturday (November 15, 2008) at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City with Pastor Kathy Graves of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will be held 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM on Saturday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Memorials may be directed to the Russell C. McMenimen memorial fund in care of the family.

He was born November 8, 1915 in Dougherty, IA on the family farm. He was the son of the late Michael John and Margaret Huss McMenimen. He graduated from St. Patricks Catholic School, Dougherty, IA in 1933.
He enlisted in the U. S. Navy on November 17, 1936. He served aboard the aircraft carriers Saratoga and Wasp and the destroyer Farenholt during World War II. He participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal and received a Meritorious Commendation while serving on USS Farenholt in the Pacific.
He also served aboard the destroyer John R. Pierce during the Korean Conflict. He left naval service as a Warrant Officer in 1956. He began his civil service career as an electrical engineer at the Navy Department in Washington, DC and retired in 1971. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve, VFW and American Legion.

He married Shirley Phillips on July 29, 1944 in Mason City, IA. They spent 49 years together until Shirleys death in 1993. During his retirement he and his family moved to Tempe, AZ, where he worked for Arizona State University, and then moved back to the family farm in Dougherty, IA and then to Mason City, IA. He and his wife began wintering in McAllen, TX and Arizona. After his wifes death, Russell spent his summers in Brainerd, MN and winters in Apache Junction, AZ.

He is survived by his five children: Michael (Rebecca) of Brainerd, MN; Douglas (Juana) of McAllen, TX; Ronald of Tempe, AZ; Doreen Pearsall of Danville, CA; and Lori McMenimen (Brad Cosgriff) of Clear Lake, IA, and numerous grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three brothers, Francis, Kenneth and Daniel McMenimen, one sister, Doris Ward, and one grandson, Neil Boonstra.

Memorials:
Memorials may be directed to the Russell C. McMenimen memorial fund in care of the family.

Cemetery:
Memorial Park Cemetery

Visitation:
Visitation will be held 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM on Saturday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Service:
Graveside Services will be held 3:00 P.M. Saturday (November 15, 2008) at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City with Pastor Kathy Graves of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating.