A funeral service for Russel Sleper, of Titonka, will be held 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 25, at the United Methodist Church in Titonka. Burial will follow at Buffalo Township Cemetery in Titonka. Visitation will be held at the church 9:30 to 11:00 AM prior to the service. The family requests that everyone wear blue jeans to the funeral in honor of Russel. Memorial contributions can be made to service dog training for disabled and PTSD veterans.
December 27, 1948 – March 19, 2023
Russel Lyle, son of Evert and Gertrude (Welhousen) Sleper, was born December 27, 1948, in Algona, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm near Titonka, Iowa. He was a record-holding athlete at Titonka High School and graduated with the Class of 1967. Russel attended college for a short time before he was drafted into the United States Army in 1968. He attended basic training in Fort Bliss, Texas, and then was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He served for one year in Vietnam before ending his military career in Fort Stuart, Georgia when he was honorably discharged in 1970. While in Vietnam, 20-year-old Russel was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism in action. After serving his country, Russel returned to Titonka to farm with his father. He was married to Sandy Johnson July 28, 1984, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Sandy brought two children, Mike and Lisa, into Russel’s life. Russel and Sandy enjoyed horseback riding, dancing, and golfing together. They were also Iowa Hawkeye fans and football season ticket holders. Sandy died August 5, 2004.
Russel loved all animals, particularly horses and his pet dog, Fluffy. He enjoyed horseback riding and driving a team of horses. He belonged to a group of friends who went on trail rides together. He also enjoyed old time music, watching sporting events, and dancing. Russel enjoyed hunting wild hogs in Texas, and on one special trip he hunted from a helicopter. He loved participating in sports, such as slow pitch softball, pool, and golf.
Russel gained a second family when he married Patricia Trainer on January 14, 2013, in a chapel in New Mexico where stagecoaches would bring couples to get married in the past. Patricia brought three children and their families to this union: Tony, Timmy, and Tracy. The couple continued the tradition of attending Hawkeye football games. Together, they loved to travel across the United States and Canada. They particularly enjoyed their trip to Alaska. Russel faithfully attended all of the grandkids’ activities.
Russel was a proud veteran. He was a humble man who had many achievements, but never spoke of them. What he would talk about were the achievements of his grandkids. Russel was loyal, honest, and faithful. He was a strong, yet quiet, man. Russel and Patricia attended Oak Hill Church together in Humboldt, Iowa. Russel believed that God was in control of his life. Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, and when we put our faith and trust in Him alone for our salvation, we can know that we will spend eternity with God. Russel died at home in Humboldt, March 19, 2023.
Survivors include Russel’s wife Pat, of Humboldt, IA; five step-children: Mike (DeAnn) Maschoff, Lisa (Brian) Escherich, Tony (Cheryl) Trainer, Timmy (Samantha) Trainer, and Tracy (Jason) Thurm; 19 grandchildren: Alex (Jessica) Maschoff, Jacob (Hannah) Maschoff, Tyler (Jenna) Maschoff, Andrew Maschoff, Ellie Maschoff, Megan (Ryan) Escherich, Sam Escherich, Anna Escherich, Samuel Trainer, Gabriel Trainer, Joseph Trainer, Benjamin Trainer, Shiloh Trainer, Vincent Trainer, Victor Trainer, Isaac (Chelsea) Thurm, Jacob Thurm, Joshua Thurm, and Joel Thurm; six great-grandchildren: Adler Maschoff, Atwood Maschoff, Mills Maschoff, Eddie Maschoff, Easton Maschoff, and Rowan Hood; sister Gayle (Larry) Pearson of Wesley, IA; and sister-in-law Jeriene Sleper of Ruthven, IA. Russel’s parents, wife Sandy, brother Gary Sleper, grandson Valentin Trainer, and niece Sandra Kay Sleper preceded him in death.
oakcrestfuneralservices.com
