Russell L. Qualle

Russell Lewis Qualle, age 90, a lifelong resident of Cannon Falls, died on Monday morning, June 12, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospitals – Methodist Campus in Rochester.

Russell was born on February 3, 1933 in Dennison, MN, one of 12 children to Lewis and Amanda (Strombeck) Qualle. He served with the US Army during Korea and was stationed in Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

Russell married Arlene Jensen on May 15, 1958, at First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls. They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in Hawaii.

He built silos in his younger years, and later worked for the Pacific Railroad until retirement. As he was one to not sit idle, following his retirement, he worked at Molitor Farms and was a garden helper for Sue Vance. Russell enjoyed walking every day, and he could be seen walking 2-3 miles at the Cannon Community Center, the field house, or the Cannon Valley Trail. He enjoyed tractor pulls and parades and could often be found on a Saturday at the farmer’s market.

Russell proudly served with the Cannon Falls Veterans Honor Guard, and they will be providing his final farewell.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Arlene; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Amanda Qualle of Cannon Falls; grandchildren, Jamie Huppert, Kayla Haberman, and Jacquelyn Qualle; sister, Cindy (Marland) Husaby of Cannon Falls; sisters-in-law, Lee Qualle of Red Wing and Darlene Qualle of Cannon Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, James; daughter, Judy Haberman; brothers, Joe, Clifford, Henry, Walter, Edward, Virgil, and Leslie; and sisters, Agnes Lawson, Lillian Wohfiel, and Gertrude McKinley.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, June 24 from 10am – 12pm at Lundberg Funeral Home, 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd, Cannon Falls. Interment with military honors will follow at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Cemetery. Please join the family for lunch and fellowship at the VFW basement following the interment.