The Funeral Service for Russ Walch, age 64, of Hettinger, will be held at 3:00 pm, MT, Monday, November 2, 2009 at the Hettinger Lutheran Church. Pastor Kathleen Dettmann, Fr. Gene Lindemann, and Deacon Joseph Mattson will officiate with burial in the Hettinger Cemetery. Military honors by the Johnson-Melary American Legion Post of Hettinger.


Serving as active casket bearers are Mike Walch, B.J. Schaff, Allen Schaff, Shane Kraft, Mike Flohr, Mark Flohr, Jarrett Score, Davis Score, Tammy (Walch) Marx, and Tina (Walch) Clayton. All of Russ' "truck driving buddies" and "close business associates" are considered honorary bearers.


RUSSELL DEAN WALCH, "Russ" to his many friends, was born November 24, 1944 in Long Beach, CA to Howard B. and Eleanor (Erickson) Walch. During the time of Russ' birth, Howard was serving in the Army in Europe and was wounded in action. Eleanor had no idea the severity of his injuries. Soon after being released from the hospital after giving birth to Russ, Eleanor and Russ' Aunt Aleda, who was living with them at the time, bundled up the two boys and took the train to Hettinger. The trip was made bearable with the help of many servicemen aboard the train.


Russ grew up on a farm south of Bucyrus. When he was in sixth grade the family moved to Hettinger where he attended school and graduated with the Class of 1964. He played sports while attending school, especially basketball for the Hettinger Shooting Stars. He entered the U.S. Army National Guard on September 8, 1964 and took his basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.


Russ returned to Hettinger in the spring of 1965 where he was employed with Great Plains Supply Company. He constructed pole barns, built rafters, worked as a yardman, and assisted with general duties of maintaining a lumber yard. In 1967, he began driving truck for his dad, the first step of his lifelong career driving truck. On November 25, 1972, he married Arlene Kraft in Selfridge, ND. In November 1974, he took over operation of Walch Trucking which he operated to the time of his death. In addition to trucking, he farmed and ranched with the assistance of his wife and sons.


Russ was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2009. He passed away on Wednesday evening, October 28, 2009 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger.


Russ truly enjoyed teaching his sons about sports, waterskiing, hunting, fishing, and making the most of family time. He was also passionate about trucking and socializing with the community. Two of Russ' favorite sayings were: "When the going gets tough, the tough have to get tougher" and "We are only here for a visit, some just longer than others."


He was a member of the Johnson-Melary American Legion Post #115 of Hettinger, and supported numerous events, especially the Hettinger School.


Surviving family members include his wife Arlene, Hettinger, ND; 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Shiloh Walch, Jamestown, ND; Terry and Stacy Walch, Mandan, ND; Nyle and Roxanne Walch, Minneapolis, MN; 5 grandchildren, Gabe, Sophie, Molly, Emerson Walch, and Jacob Walch; 2 brothers, Wayne (Bonnie) Walch, St. Louis, MO; Dennis (Luella) Walch, Punta Gorda, FL; 3 sisters, Donna (Nick) Schaff, Scranton, ND; Gloria Score, Priest River, ID; Connie Walch, Hettinger, ND; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.


Also surviving are Russ's in-laws on Arlene's side of the family including his brothers-in-law, Frank (Frances) Kraft, Mobridge, SD; Tony (Jean) Kraft, Waubun, MN; Willy Kraft, Fernley, NV; Jake (Vernetta) Kraft, Belle Fourche, SD; Victor (Kathy) Kraft, Selfridge, ND; Alvin (Betty) Kraft, New Salem, ND; sister-in-law, Anne (LeRoy) Nielsen, Alamo, TX; and brother-in-law, John Flohr, Rapid City, SD.


Russ was preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law, Vern Score, his mother and father-in-law, Jacob and Ann Kraft, 3 sisters-in-law, Edith (Kraft) Flohr, Karen Kraft, Mary Ann Kraft, nephew, Dennis Kraft, and numerous cousins, uncles, and aunts.


Russ' legacy will carry on as he gave the gift of sight by donation of his eyes to the Lions.


Visitation will be Sunday 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm, Monday, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm; at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger and one hour prior to services at the Hettinger Lutheran Church.


A memorial has been established.


Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.