Russel A. Biederstedt, 77, Dickinson, died Saturday, July 28, 2012 at his home. Russel’s memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, August 2, 2012 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. Military flag presentation will follow the service by a member of the Dickinson Honors Team.
Russel A. Biederstedt was born August 9, 1934 at McLaughlin, S.D., the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Schock) Biederstedt. He graduated from McLaughlin High School in 1953 and went to work for A.M. Lips Construction based in Faribault, Minn. This work took him to many states. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1957 and stationed in Germany until 1959. Serving in the reserves until his honorable discharge in 1963.
Russel married Loretta Smith on November 24, 1960 in Bloomer, Wis. Russel went to work for MDU in 1963 as a lineman in Lemmon, S.D., later transferring to Dickinson, where he worked as a line crew foreman until his retirement in 1994.
He was a fan of all sports and enjoyed woodworking, fishing, hunting and trapshooting. He was an active member of the Lemmon Trap Club and Dickinson Trap Club for years. Russel was also a member of the Friends of the Library and volunteered at their Friends Used Bookstore. Since his retirement, Russel was known to all at the Library as the Library handyman.
Russel is survived by his wife, Loretta; their three children, Dennis (Jan) Biederstedt, Dickinson, Gina (Julian) Alonzo, Edmond, Okla., and Carol (Quentin) Kitzan, Dickinson; seven grandchildren, Brooke and Paige Biederstedt, Erika Bjornson, Derek Alonzo, and Akoya, Raven and Dalton Kitzan; and four siblings, Howard (Verna) Biederstedt, Armour, S.D., Wallace (Julie) Biederstedt, Lewiston, Idaho, Jerri (Al) Schneider, Lakeland, Minn., and Willard (Rita) Biederstedt, Lafayette, Ind. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Earl Dale (in infancy), Roy, Marvin, and Victor; and sisters, Esther, Ella, Irene, and Virginia.
