Russell Gettinger, 96

Russell R. Gettinger was born on May 8, 1916, in New Auburn, Wis., to parents Theron and Mable (Seivert) Gettinger. He graduated from New Auburn High School in 1934 and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1938 and his master's degree from the University of Minnesota in 1953. His career in professional education spanned 43 years, including Menomonie High School; the U.S. Air Force as an instructor at Rantoul, Ill., and New Haven (Yale), Conn., (1941-1945); Chippewa Falls; River Falls Public Schools for 32 years; and at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Russell served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1946, was a World War II veteran, and remained active in the American Legion at River Falls, Amery, and was also a member in Barron.

Russell played basketball and baseball at New Auburn High School and at UW-River Falls, including 3 years of collegiate varsity baseball, as well as playing for town and area teams. He was a fan of the Milwaukee Braves and Minnesota Twins, as well as the Packers and Vikings.

He was an active member of the Wisconsin Retired Education Association, Amery Area Senior Center, Amery Lions Club, Amery Garden Club, Polk County Nature Club, and the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Group. Other service included Scout Master, Polk County Medicare Assistance, volunteer tax aide (12 years), conducting nursing home audio visual programs, and a literacy volunteer. His hobbies included gardening, fishing, photography, woodworking, and travel throughout the United States.

Russell retired from the River Falls Public Schools in 1981 and moved to Amery in 1982 with his wife, Ethel, to their home on North Twin. They had owned a series of mobile homes on Pike Lake for several years prior to the move. Ethel passed away in 1985, and Russell married Jean (Morley) Deminsky in 1989. They lived in Amery until 2007, moving to the Maplecroft Assisted Living Apartments in Barron. Later, each moved to the Mayo Northland Nursing Home in Barron.

Russell passed away at the age of 96 at the Mayo Northland Nursing Home in Barron, Wis., on Oct. 24.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theron and Mable (Seivert) Gettinger, and first wife, Ethel (Nadler) Gettinger.

He is survived by his wife Jean (Deminsky) Gettinger; his children, Donald Gettinger and Sharon (Gary) Lovell; grandchildren, Brian Lovell, Michael Lovell, Laura (Chad) Norton; sister, Lucille Westphal; wife Jean's children and their families; and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Congregational-UCC Church, 201 N. Harriman Ave., in Amery, Wis., at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 29. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls at 1 p.m. Russell's family would like to express their appreciation to his primary health care physician, Dr. Nagler, and to the nursing staff at the Barron Assisted Living and Nursing Home facilities for their kind and excellent care.

To sign an online guest book and view a video tribute, visit www.williamsonwhite.com. Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery.

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