Gordon Russell Hegland, of Champion passed away September 18, 2002 at the Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 90 years.
Russell was born January 6, 1912 at Carmangay, Alberta to Delmar and Lillian Hegland. He attended Plain Field School and worked with his father of the family farm. He joined the army reserve at the beginning of WWII and was stationed at Port Alberni, while home visiting he played the Violin and guitar at dances where he met Phyllis Chamberlin and they were married September 1943. Russell returned home in 1943 from the reserve Army and together they farmed his family farm. They moved into town shortly after and continued to farm from town. In 1963 he partnered up with his daughter and son-in-law in Champion and operated the Economy Store until 1972 when the business was sold. Russell continued to farm with his family, he officially retired in 1997 but continued to keep an eye on things until he entered hospital this past week.
Russell loved his family, and especially enjoyed times with his grand and great grandchildren, he enjoyed to play violin and guitar, solve jig-saw and word puzzles. Russell was an avid fisherman and hunter, big game as well as birds. He enjoyed his membership in the Champion Masonic Lodge.
Loving father of a daughter Diane (Lorne) Ecklund of Stettler, two sons Gordon (Sharon) of Champion, Barry (Linda) of Vulcan, grandchildren Brian (Glennis) Ecklund of Stettler, Brent Ecklund of Taber, Cheryl (Chris) Tetz of Three Hills, JoAnn Hegland of Calgary, Lisa Hegland of Lethbridge, Danyel Fodor and Shawn Fodor of Vulcan, four great grandchildren Terry Ecklund, Jordon Tetz, Samantha Tetz and Myles Ecklund, a sister-in-law Agnes Hegland of Vulcan, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in the United States and Canada.
Russell was predeceased by his wife Phyllis on August 2, 2000, three brothers Delmar Jr, Earl and Ralph, four sisters Ruby (Alfred) Frank, Gladys (Elton) Peterson, Doris (Elmo) Brandvold, Margaret Hegland and his parents.
Memorial Service September 21, 2002 at 11:00 A.M. at the Champion United Church with Lee Spice officiating.
Cremation.
If friends so desire, tributes in Russell’s memory could be made to either the Palliative Care Unit or the Long Term Care Unit of the Vulcan Community Health Centre Box 299 Vulcan, Alberta TOL 2BO.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.