BLUE EARTH — Russell A. Schavey, age 90, of Blue Earth, passed away Sunday March 8, 2020, at St. Luke’s Care Center. A funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, March 13, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Emerald Township, with Rev. Matthew Lorfeld officiating.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at St. Luke’s Care Center Chapel. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.

Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Blue Earth is in charge of arrangements.

Russell was born Nov. 26, 1929, to William and Adelade (Hensel) Schavey in Barber Township, Faribault County, Minn., on the same farm where he lived for 89 1/2 years. He went to country school and then Blue Earth High School until the 10th grade, when he decided he liked farming better than school.

At the age of 17, he started working for area farmers and then with his brother Marvin. He began by planting crops with horses and it evolved into many years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. In the end, he was helping on the farm learning how to operate the latest tractor with auto-steer and still enjoying every minute of it.

Saturday night roller skating was a favorite entertainment at the time, and this is where he met his lifelong love, Delores “Jean.” They rarely missed a Saturday night at the roller rink and eventually they married on June 19, 1954, at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

In addition to raising two sons and farming, Russell was very active at Immanuel Lutheran Church and held various positions there.

He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and traveling. He always wanted to visit Yellowstone National Park, so for he and Jean’s 50th wedding anniversary, he got to cross that off his “bucket list.”

In June 2019, he entered St. Luke’s Lutheran Home to rejoin his wife and enjoy “official” retirement.

Left to cherish such fond memories are his devoted wife of 65 years, Delores Jean; his two sons, Harlan (Susan) and Dave (Denise), both of Blue Earth; his grandchildren, Brian (special friend Vanessa Juarez), Kevin, Lauren and Grace; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Erin Schavey; his brother and sister-in-law, Marvin (Dorthea) Schavey.

www.pattonfh.com

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]