Obit: Bagley, Russell Joseph (1945 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bagley, Dahlke, Kelley, Lott, Tahtinen, White

----Source: Nash-Jackan Funeal Home (Ladysmith, WI) 9/15/2018

Bagley, Russell Joseph (17 MAY 1945 - 13 SEP 2018)

Russell Joseph Bagley passed away the morning of September 13, 2018 after a valiant battle with cancer.

Russ is survived by his sister Janice (Dick) Tahtinen, son Russell “Jim,” daughter-in-law Ike, and grandson Russell “RJ,” daughter Kelly and first wife Leilani Lott; step-daughters Laura Dahlke, Robin (Brian) Kelley, Nickie (Adam) White, step-son Bill White and grandchildren Jacob, Haley, Hannah, Terra, Jayna, Regan, Samantha, Patricia, Trinity, Carter, and Kamdyn.

In lieu of flowers…Russ loved dogs, so he thought it would be fun to direct donations to the Rusk County Animal Shelter.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Ladysmith. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:00 Noon until service time on Saturday, September 29th at the funeral home.

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----Source: The Ladysmith News (Ladysmith, WI) 9/15/2018

Russell Joseph Bagley, 73, passed away the morning of Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018 after a valiant battle with cancer.

His story began in Barron, on May 17, 1945. Russ was the youngest of five children in a family that was relatively poor. His mother provided an extraordinary example of persevering and working hard to support her family.

Russ began working at quite a young age — picking produce, delivering papers and washing cars before beginning a career path with Holiday Station stores in Cameron.

Russ was proud to be from the Cameron area and was always looking forward to Camerama Days and the next class reunion.

He took the leap from employee to entrepreneur shortly after arriving in Ladysmith. He was known for his extraordinary work ethic and mind for business. He enjoyed promoting events, businesses, and the city of Ladysmith. He was proud of the 48 years he invested in the community by owning businesses, generating employment opportunities, and providing excellent service and entertainment.

Behind all of Russ’s activities was his love for people. While he had a strong sense of justice, he also had a soft spot for the underdog. He took many young people under his wing offering advice, encouragement and friendship. He enjoyed teaching the art of working hard, treating others well, and having fun.

Life can be hard and messy and Russ’s included some of that. Throughout life and especially in his later years, he worked toward making peace with others as he made peace with God. He was looking forward to joining the community of First Lutheran Church in Exeland where he had planned to tell his story of how Jesus changed his heart.

Russ is survived by his sister Janice (Dick) Tahtinen, son Russell “Jim,” daughter-in-law Ike, and grandson Russell “RJ,” daughter Kelly and first wife Leilani Lott; step-daughters Laura Dahlke, Robin (Brian) Kelley, Nickie (Adam) White, step-son Bill White and grandchildren Jacob, Haley, Hannah, Terra, Jayna, Regan, Samantha, Patricia, Trinity, Carter, and Kamdyn.
He was preceded in death by his second wife, Patricia; his brothers, Ronald and Charles Bagley and his sister, Margie Horel.

In lieu of flowers, Russ loved dogs, so he thought it would be fun to direct donations to the Rusk County Animal Shelter.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 29 at Nash-Jackan Funeral Home in Ladysmith. Visitation for family and friends will be held from noon until service time on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the funeral home.