Russell Feder

Russell Feder, age 90, of Madelia died at his home, in Madelia, on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. Russell John Feder was born July 6, 1921 on the Feder Farm pioneered in 1857 by David and Dorothea Feder. Russell was the son of John and Marie (Seitz) Feder. After graduating from Madelia High School in 1939, he worked for Feder Lumber Company. Fascinated with flight, he began flying lessons, taking his solo flight, May 4, 1940 as one of the early aviators in the area. He never lost that passion and gave many free rides over 40 years. In 1970 he helped build the fully aerobatic bi-plane, Star Duster II. He belonged to the St. James Flying Club for 15 years. In 1941, his early love of flying led him to California where he enrolled in Santa Monica Technical School to build airplanes. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942-1945, serving in Texas, Alabama and Guam. On November 4, 1947 he married the former Carole Lee at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madelia. They built two homes in Madelia, and were blessed with four children. In 1949, Russell started Feder Plumbing and Heating, Inc., growing it into one of the larger residential and commercial firms in Southern Minnesota. After the devastating loss of Carole to cancer in 1986, Russell sold the business to longtime employee and fellow airplane enthusiast, Richard Splinter (des.) and Stanley Sheie in 1990. Feder Plumbing Heating was sold again to employees Lee McCabe and partners, and continues as a vital Madelia business. In 1988, he married Janet Olson, widow of a close friend from Air Corps days. Together they spent many good years at Leech Lake, Harlingen, Texas and their home in Madelia, and on many projects of the American Legion, including the Veterans Memorial on Main Street. Russell was a civic advocate until the day he died. He was elected to two terms on the Madelia City Council, was an active member of the American Legion Post # 19 of which his father, John Feder, a WWI Veteran was a founder, Trinity Lutheran Church, and strong supporter of the Madelia Historical Society. But his real hobbies were flying, fishing and dancing. According to his 3 and 5 year-old great-grandsons: Grandpa is in heaven fishing and watching turtle races! Russell is survived by wife of 23 years Janet ; two step-children, Lynn Olson, TN, MaryKay (John) Shaleen, Oseola, WI; four children, Virginia (Landy) Ray, Klamath Falls, OR, Thomas (LindaMarie) Feder, Madelia, John (Patti) Feder, Conroe, TX, Nadine (James) Salvesen, Ridgefield, CT; 2 sisters, Ilah Robbins, Mesa, AZ, and Dorothy Woodard, Minneaoplis; ten grandchildren, Lt. Col. Marc Sheie, Margaret Krull, Sigrid Sheie, Tracy Salameh, Trent Feder, Kathryn Feder, David Feder, Brian Salvesen, Katie Murtagh, Greg Salvesen; five step-grandchildren, Amanda Meyers, E4 Spcialist, Emily Uran, Sarah Saleen, Tanner Tristen Olson; and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Carole; his parents, two brothers-in-law, William B. Robbins, Donald Woodard; step-son Kevin Olson.