Russell was born on January 29, 1935 in Gill, Colorado to Martin and Hilma (Lagerstrom) Anderson. He was one of 11 children who grew up on a farm. After attending grade school and high school, he went on to attend Colorado Teachers College (Northern Colorado) in Greeley, Colorado where he received his Bachelor's Degree and later his Master's Degree.
He met Lorraine while teaching math in Platteville, Colorado. They met at a young adult meeting at the Greeley Covenant Church. The two were married on December 28, 1958. They moved to the Denver area where they raised 6 children: Karen Skipp, Sherryl Klosterman, Denise Lopez, Donovan Anderson, Wanda Okeson, and Wendy Reid.
Russell taught math for 35 years at Englewood High School, Flood Middle School and part-time at both Metro State and Colorado Christian University. Russell had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening in his yard, and working at Covenant Heights in Estes Park, Colorado.
Russell is survived by his wife Lorraine, his 6 children, and 13 grandchildren.
