Russell Love

Russell Henry Love, age 64, of Mountain Home, Idaho, formerly of Sac City, Iowa, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday, November 19, 2004, after a short but courageous fight against cancer.

Russell was born in Storm Lake, Iowa, August 21, 1940, to Lloyd and Irene (Presley) Love. He was the third of five children. He spent his youth in Sac City and graduated from the Sac City High School in 1958. In October of 1958 he joined the Air Force. It was during his travels in the service that he met Carmelita Uy in the Philippines. They were married August 5, 1961, and spent 43 wonderful years together. When Russ retired from the Air Force he moved his family to Laredo, Texas, to be closer to his parents and join their business venture, Love Imports. After six years, he moved his family to Mountain Home, Idaho, where he had been stationed before and had so enjoyed camping, fishing, and walking in the mountains.

Russ loved when family came to visit so he could show them all the things he loved about Idaho, especially Trinity Lake where his family went camping all the time.

Russ and Carmen had five children: Elena, Christine, Russell, Marilyn, and Teri Ann. Their love for each other was very evident. The family grew with their children’s marriages to Eddie, Rick, Shailagh, Jim and Bob. They gave Russ and Carmen 15 grandchildren that he adored and spoiled whenever he had a chance.

Russ will always be remembered for his love of family and friends, his ability to have a good time and make sure others were having a good time, his laugh, and for the twinkle that was always in his bright blue eyes.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Carmelita U. Love; his children: Elena Tamez and her husband Eduardo of San Jose, CA, Christine Rodriguez and husband Richard of Von Ormy, TX, Russell L. Love and wife Shailagh of Mountain Home, ID, Marilyn Goetz and husband James of San Antonio, TX, and Teresa Cook and husband Robert of Elmendorf, TX; 15 grandchildren; brother, Kenneth Love and wife Nancy of Denison, IA, sisters: Ellie Sandvig and husband Richard of Omaha, NE, Linda Henson and husband Darrell of Omaha, NE, and Dale Wilhelm and husband Max of Plymouth, MN; many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many friends.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Irene Love, and grandson Elvin Mark Tamez.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 24th, 10:30 am, at First Christian Church in Sac City, with Reverend Sharla Hulsey, officiating, and Joyce Irwin, organist. Honorary pallbearers include Kenneth Love, Ronnie Flink, Darrell Henson, Max Wilhelm, Rick Sandvig, Butch Arends, and Warren Albers. Pallbearers include the following: Russell L. Love, Eduardo Tamez, Richard Rodriguez, James Goetz, Robert Cook, Jacob Rodriguez, Erik Tamez. Burial will be at Cedar Cemetery, rural Sac City, under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home, with military graveside rites by the Offutt Honor Guard.

Visitation is Tuesday, November 23rd, 4:00-8:00 pm, at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.