Russell "Russ" Thomas Dunford, 80, of Rochester passed away April 29, 2018 at Samaritan Bethany after a short stay.

Visitation for Russ will be held from 5:00pm to 7:00 pm Wednesday, May 2 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home.  A private family service will be held.  Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Russ was born August 26, 1937 to Russell George and Agnes Josie (Costello) in Rochester.  He graduated from Rochester High School in 1955, where he played football and was active in the FFA and 4H.

Russ married Rebecca Ann Ketchum of Rochester, his high school sweetheart on June 15, 1957.  The couple raised their family on Marion Road alongside his parents.  He worked at Roth's Food Store until he started working at Ace Hardware on South Broadway at age 16, retiring from there at age 65.  He then worked delivering parts for Scharf Auto until December 2015 when he retired due to his health.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca; children, Martie (Dan) Whiting of Rochester, Julie (Bob) Wagner of Oronoco, Thomas (Hollie) Dunford of Rochester, Kelli Yennie of Rochester, and Carol Dunford of Rochester; ten grandchildren, Shane (Jenna) Whiting, Katie (James) Arnott, Rebecca and Kaci Wagner, Brooke Yennie, Zachary and Emily Dunford, Rachel and Ryan Liebenow, and Dylan Bouchie; three great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Quinn Arnott and Driver Whiting. He is also survived by his sisters, Mabel Pierce and JoAnn (Richard) Volker of Rochester, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Russ loved his family, camping, hunting, and fishing with his grandkids, playing softball with his son, and meeting for coffee with his longtime friends.  He was a longtime Eagles Club member and a lifelong-dedicated Minnesota sports fan, even when they lost.  He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, his love of laughter, and a strong work ethic that he instilled in his family.

The family would like to thank Samaritan Bethany, Seasons Hospice, and St. Mary's nurses and doctors for all their care and support.