Russell M. Lundquist, 77, passed away unexpectedly after being stricken on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006. A celebration of life honoring Russ will be held at noon Monday (Sept.11)at the Stevens Point Country Club.
He was born on April 2, 1929, in St. Peter, Minn., to John Lundquist and Ruth (Olson) Lundquist. Russ graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter and served his country during the Korean War. He served as a sergeant in U.S. Army from Sept. 11, 1952, until his honorable discharge from Fort George Mead, Md., on Sept. 10, 1954. Russ earned the National Defense Service Medal as well as a Good Conduct Medal.
Russ was married to Marjorie French in 1956. They have three children, Cindy, Cam and Mitch. A lifelong educator, Russ began his professional career as a business education teacher at P.J. Jacobs High School, eventually becoming a guidance counselor there. In 1968, he took a position as an admissions counselor at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where he remained until retirement in 1990.
He was active in local politics, serving on the Portage County Board of Supervisors for 13 years during the 1970s and '80s and remained strongly attuned to political issues throughout his life. Russ was active in many athletic pursuits throughout his life, but is certainly best known through his many successes on the golf course. With numerous local tournament victories to his credit, including Club Championships at both the Wisconsin River and Stevens Point Country Clubs and seven official holes in one, Russ's success was only eclipsed by his sheer tenacity of effort. His commitment to the game is legendary, and through his nearly 40 years as a member of the Stevens Point Country Club (including many on the SPCC Board of Directors), Russ was an irrepressible fixture on the links. His persistence diminished little in his later years as he "shot his age" this past summer as he continued to play nearly daily. It's unlikely that there's another local resident who has logged as many rounds as Russ. Despite Russ's varied accomplishments, his greatest commitment was to his family. He was tireless in his generosity and rarely missed an opportunity to become engaged in the lives of others. Russ always made himself available for his family and frequently could be found helping his children and grandchildren on the tennis court and golf course or attending any number of school concerts and events. His unique insight, generosity, humor and thoughtfulness will be missed by all who knew him.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Roger Lundquist. He is survived by Marge, his loving wife of 49 years; and their three children, Cindy (Jim) Matzinger of Madison, Cam (Judy) Lundquist of Stevens and Mitch (Jayne Carter) Lundquist of Madison. Russ had three grandchildren, Alissa and Tyler Matzinger of Madison and Caitlin Lundquist of Stevens Point.
Per Russ's wishes, others will benefit from his tissue/organ donation