Russell Persons

St. Charles,          Russell Arthur Persons, 87, of rural St. Charles died Wednesday April 10th at Whitewater Healthcare Center in St. Charles.       Russell was born July 26, 1915 in St. Charles to Chancy and Selma (Nienow) Persons. He attended the Kaehler Country School north of St. Charles. On June 3, 1944 he and Donna Green were married at Berea Moravian Church north of St. Charles. They were dairy farmers north of St. Charles their entire married lives.      Family and church were an important part of Russell’s life. He had a strong interest in missions, both home and abroad. He belonged to Grace Community Church of Eyota and was involved in various church boards and committees over the years. He was active in the Gideon’s, was a past-president of the Farm Bureau, served on the St. Charles Township Board and the Winona County Board of Adjustment, he also served on rural school boards, the Rochester Milk Producers Board and the St. Charles Creamery Board. Russell enjoyed hunting.      Survivors include his wife Donna, four children, Arthur (Elaine) Persons of St. Charles, Barb (Darrel) Borneman of St. Charles, Carol (Lee) Smith of Randolph, WI, and Lee (Carol) Persons of St. Charles, 13 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, two sisters Emily Urban and Doris Persons both of St. Charles, and a brother Curtis (Marjorie) Persons also of St. Charles. Two brothers, Harold and Chancy “Myron” Persons preceded him in death.     Funeral Services will be 2 PM Saturday at Grace Community Church in Eyota wit the Rev. Mark Young officiating. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles. Friends may call fro 5-8 PM Friday at Hoff Funeral Home’s – St. Charles Chapel. They may also call one hour before services at the church on Saturday.     Memorials are preferred to the church. Hoff Funeral Homes (Hofffuneralhomes.com) is assisting the family with arrangements.