The funeral for Russell Gackle, Kulm, ND will be Friday, September 6, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church at Kulm, ND. Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 8:00 PM at Dahlstrom Funeral Home, Kulm, ND. Burial will be at Hillside Lutheran Cemetery, Kulm, ND.

Russell Richard Gackle was delivered by Dr. F.W. Ferguson to Gottlieb Gackle Jr. and Elsie (Uttecht) Gackle on March 5, 1932. He was born on the family farm one mile west of Kulm, ND during a snowstorm. Russell was baptized in his parents' home on June 26, 1946 and was confirmed in the Congregational Church at Kulm, ND on June 30, 1946 by the Rev. C. Martin. He graduated from eighth grade at Kulm on May 29, 1946. Russell worked on the family farm for several years off and on. He was employed by the American Crystal Sugar Company the fall of 1948. He then graduated from Hanson Mechanical School at Fargo, ND on March 9, 1951. On March 20, 1952, Russell was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. He received an Honorable discharge on March 10, 1954, after serving eleven months in a combat zone. Russell was discharged with the rank of Corporal and received the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with One Star and the United Nations Service Medal. On November 28, 1954, Russell married Ruby Fey at the Zion Lutheran Church at Kulm, ND. Born to this union are two sons, Darrell, born September 13, 1955 and Dale, born June 5, 1962, both residing in Kulm. Russell graduated from Moler Barber College at Fargo, ND on June 21, 1955, after which he received his Master Barber License on July 10, 1957. Russell has been actively involved in many community organizations. In June of 1955, he joined the American Legion. In July of 1958, he joined the Kulm Fire Department, of which he served as Fire Chief for nineteen years. Russell has also served on the Zion Lutheran Church Council a number of times; Kulm City Park Board from 1968 to 1974, Kulm Civic and Improvement Board of Directors for fifteen years and the Kulm Country Club Board for four years. Russell drove bus for the Kulm School District from January 1956 to May 1958 while working part-time. Russell began employment at Gackle Brothers, Inc. in 1957 on a part-time basis and became full-time in 1958. He started selling parts at Gackle Brothers in May of 1959. Russell retired from active work at Gackle Brothers on March 5, 1997. He then returned to work at Dale's Hardware on January 1, 2000, where he worked part-time for his son, Dale up until eight hours before he passed away.

Russell died Sunday, September 1, 2013 at Mercy Hospital in Valley City, ND. He was 81 years old.

Russell is survived by his wife, Ruby, Kulm, ND; sons, Darrell and Dale (Gloria Lundgren) Gackle, Kulm, ND; 3 granddaughters; Stacey (Geoffrey) Hunt, Jamestown, ND; Brandy (Dave) Dockter, West Fargo, ND and Alyssa Gackle, Fargo, ND; 3 great-granddaughters, Madyson and Maleah Dockter and Catherine Hunt; sister, Dorothy (Roy) Nill, Kulm, ND; brothers, Larry (Betty) Gackle, Mineola, TX; sisters-in-law, Marie Hilscher, Kulm, ND, Delores Fey, Missoula, MT; Marion Gackle, Kulm, ND and several nieces and nephews. Russ was preceded in death by his parents, brother, LeRoy and Dean, nephew Warren and three brothers–in-law, Gideon Hilscher, Herb Hilscher and Ernest Fey. Share memories and sign online guestbook at www.dahlstromfuneralservice.com. Dahlstrom Funeral Home of Kulm, ND entrusted with arrangements.