Russell Bruce Sleipness passed away on July 8, 2013 after a courageously fought, four-year battle with brain cancer. He was born July 31, 1947 in Seattle. Following graduation from Roosevelt High School in 1965, he served in Vietnam as a military policeman. In 1968, Russ married his high school sweetheart, Sonja Werdal. Russ worked as a policeman before co-founding Jubilee Fisheries, a commercial fishing company based in Seattle with vessels operating in Alaska. In his free time, Russ enjoyed weight lifting, downhill skiing, hunting, and spending time in the woods with his family.
Russell is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sonja of Sedro Woolley, WA; sons, Kjell, of Chicago, IL, Evan (Sarah), of Germantown, MD, and Ole (Amy) of Pullman, WA; grandchildren Freya, Konrad, and Annabelle; brother John (Laurie) of Albany, OR, and numerous extended family members whom he loved. He was preceded in death by his parents Bertil Sleipness, Lois Brendle Sleipness-Meehan, and Alfred Meehan; sister Heidi; and grandson Eli Russell Sleipness.
Russ embodied unconditional love, generosity, and integrity. Through his illness, his optimism served as a testament of his faith.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 11:00 am at Rock of Ages Lutheran Brethren Church at 316 N 70th St, Seattle, WA. Arrangements are by Lemley Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pregnancy Choices of Mt. Vernon, Healing Hearts Ministries, Fisher House at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, or American Brain Tumor Association.
Very sad to hear about Rusty.
We served together in Vietnam and I saw him occasionally in Seattle.
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Russell. Heaven is his new home and Russell has his new body. We, at Pregnancy Choices are honored that we have received gifts in honor of such a warrior. Thanks you for your gifts to this ministry. We are truly humbled.
Mary Bron
Pregnancy Choices
617 W. Division St
Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
My deepest heartfelt condolences to Sonja and family.
Sonja & family,
Tanya and I were so sorry to hear of Russ’ recent struggles and passing. We know he is now at peace in the loving arms of his Savior. We are praying for you and the boys and their families – along with everyone who knew and loved Russ.
May the Lord keep you and sustain you.
Given & Tanya
Russ is no longer suffering and an in a better place. I know that doesn’t help the pain. May God especially be with the family now.
Rusty and I were childhood friends. After Russ left the police force, I lost contact with him. Only late last year did another childhood friend, Emory Lindgard contact me and informed me of Rusty’s condition. Last December, I went and visited with Russ and Sonja and had a great time. Even with Russ’s condition he was able to communicate with that warm smile and fun spirit – the same Rusty that I remembered from our youth. The most important thing that Russ was able to tell me was that he had received Jesus Christ into his life as his Lord and Saviour. We can be sure that he is finally with his heavenly Father for eternity and some day we will be able to joke and visit once again. I will be forever thankful for Emory reaching out to me and for the few hours that I had the privilege of spending with Russ and Sonja. I pray for peace and comfort for Sonja and the family. May God richly bless you all.
David Marion
Bothell, Washington
Sonia and family, please accept my deepest sympathies for your great loss.
Russ was the best friend I could ever ask for as we hung out, shared adventures and had many laughs. Unfortunately, we lost touch with each other as our families expanded in recent years. Looking back, I remember his incredible physical strength, quick wit, and fearlessness (think steep ski runs, log cabin building or commercial fishing). Most of all, I remember his friendship. I am deeply saddened by his passing, but I remember a poignant moment when we saw him last: We were recounting something funny from the past that brought a rare smile to his face, in the midst of his suffering, that reminded me of how he had always had such a great talent for sharing his infectious sense of humor. So, between the tears, I still have wonderful memories of Russ’ ability to see the humor in all kinds of situations. I wouldn’t be surprised if Russ is bringing laughter to heaven.
Carl Sorensen
I first met Russ when we were in Junior High School. We immediately hit it off and began to pal around together. This continued throughout High School where we got into our share of mischief. Like the time in history class. The seating was arranged in a “U” shape and Russ and I sat next to each other on one of the long sides of the “U”. One day when we were being silly and not paying attention in class Mr. Williams (the teacher) moved Russ so that he sat directly across from me. Well, Russ being Russ had to figure out a way to get me to laugh so he cut up a black piece of a notebook and stuck it in his mouth behind his lips and in front of his teeth then smiled at me. Well, I couldn’t hold it in and I just cracked up! That little stunt got us sent to the Principle’s office. Luckily, we knew our way there, for this was not the first time nor would it be our last visit there.
I think it was just after graduating that he bought an old Chevy pickup truck with a canopy and we decided to go camping and shooting on one of the forks of the Stillaguamish River. We bedded down in the canopy in our sleeping bags for the night. During the night the temperature dropped and in the morning we wokeup really cold. Good thing Russ had brought a Coleman Lantern that we could light and get a little heat from before getting out of our sleeping bags. He tried several times to light it but failed and then WHOOOOOOOSH the lantern lit and so did our sleeping bags! We bailed out of the back of the truck like nobody’s business! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t run in a zipped up sleeping bag!
We had some REALLY good times together. I remember floating down the Cedar River with him and Jubilee in a big old innertube Russ fell off, went underwater lost is hat and came up yelling “my hat, my hat, save my hat!” The hat? Well, it was a Ballard Stetson. I remember fishing trips to Sekiu, doing the “Puyallup” with him and Sonja and visiting Big Mom and Pop. I’m sure that’s what he’s doing now.
He is one of my best friends and I will miss him and his humor.
I remember Rusty with great fondness and am saddened to hear of his passing, particularly from this awful disease which also took our daughter, Lindsay, 7 years ago at age 22. Russ was a fellow police officer in Seattle, and a fellow lover of music. I remember some fine jam sessions with me and others on guitar and Russ on the harp. We were friends, lost contact for years, reconnected when I coached his kids in little league and soccer, then sadly, lost touch again. My heart is heavy for the loss of this unique individual and my thoughts are with his family.
Lee Libby
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Emory and Darlene
My condolences to Sonja and family. May Russ rest in peace.
Cousin Caroline
Trondheim, Norway