Russell L. Gaskill, age 74, of Alta, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at his residence of Alta.  A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 10:30 AM at the First Congregational Church of Aurelia with the Rev. Bruce Rapp officiating.  Burial will be at a later date.  A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM with the family present from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Alta.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.   

Russell Leroy Gaskill was born on January 13, 1943 in Creston, Iowa to Kenneth R. and Esther Lorraine (Swanson) Gaskill. Russell was baptized at the Salem Lutheran Church in Creston, Iowa and was confirmed at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa. He attended various grade schools in Iowa and graduated from Washington High School in Cherokee, Iowa in 1961.

Russell was united in marriage to Karen McGowan on October 28, 1962 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa. This union was blessed with three children:  Rhonda, Jeff and Kari.  Russell has been a resident of Alta, Iowa for the last 49 years. The first 5 years of their marriage they lived in Aurelia and Cherokee, Iowa.           

Russell worked in the trucking transportation business his entire lifetime. He owned and operated his own truck for many years along with working with/for various brokers, friends and companies. Most recently he worked for D & H Escort Service out of Albert City, Iowa where he escorted oversized loads before retiring in December of 2015 when his wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Russell will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was always one who loved to joke with everyone, share many “Let me take and tell ya” stories, and always left you with a smile on your face.  His laugh was infectious and he could brighten your worst days.

Russell is survived by his children, Rhonda (Michael) Ross of Des Moines, Iowa, Jeffrey Gaskill of Alta, Iowa and Kari (Neil) Puetz of Hinton, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; brother, Don (Joan) Gaskill of Meriden, Iowa; sisters, Esther Snyder of Indianola, Iowa, Marilyn Arhart of Columbia Falls, Montana, Janet Schimmer and Melba Smith of Galva, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Merlin McGowan and Garlan (Helen) McGowan of Alta, Iowa; sister-in-law, Kathi McGowan of Destin, Florida; along with several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Russell was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; his parents; brother, Kenneth Gaskill; parents-in-law, Urany B. and Elizabeth (Gerjets) McGowan; brothers-in-law, Ronald Snyder, Lloyd Arhart, Elvin Schimmer, Delmar McGowan, Donald McGowan, Robert McGowan and Dennis McGowan; sisters-in-law, Deloris Luttrell, Delores McGowan, Betty McGowan, Mary McGowan and MaryAnn McGowan.

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