Richard "Russell" Hurst

  Richard "Russell" Hurst of Lakeville, Minnesota, was carried by  angels to heaven on February 28, 2025. He passed one year and 14 days after his love and life companion, Janet's loss.

Born on May 2, 1936, in Pierre, S.D., he was a man of resilience, determination, humor, and love for his family.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Verda Hurst; his brother, Dwight Hurst; and his sisters, Nancy Densmore and Jeanie Schroeder. He is survived by his brother, Norman Hurst  (Mary Kay) of Mobridge, S.D.; his sisters, Joyce Drabek (Rich) of Belle Fourche, S.D., and Marlyce Miller (Dale) of Elk Grove, Calif.; as well as a large extended family and many dear friends.

Raised on the open plains near Draper, S.D., Russell spent his youth helping his father on various farms and working at their gas station, restaurant, and motel along Interstate 16.

    He developed a lifelong love for the outdoors-fishing, hunting pheasants and deer, and embarking on annual elk hunting trips to the Black Hills with close friends Roger Vik and Nelva Louder.

Always accompanied by his loyal German Shepherd, Duke, Russell embraced adventure with an unwavering spirit.

A graduate of Draper High School, Russell pursued mechanical engineering at South Dakota State University before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1956. His service took him to various locations including Germany, before discharging and returning home to Draper. A natural problem-solver with a meticulous eye for detail, he had immaculate left-handed penmanship and a habit of making daily lists-always planning, designing, and building something new.

Russell's life changed forever when he met Janet. After three attempts to win her hand for a dance, persistence and bravery paid off, leading to a lifelong partnership rooted in love, ballroom dancing, and entrepreneurialism. They married on July 2, 1961, at Vivian Lutheran Church on a sweltering 94-degree day-an anecdote they fondly shared for years. Their birthdays, while different years, were just one day apart-Janet's on May 1 and Russell's on May 2.

Together, they built their early life in Draper, raising three children: James Hurst (Teri), Julie Gilbert, and John Hurst (Stephanie). They were later blessed with six grandchildren: Nicholas, Sophie, Mikayla, Brock, Blake, and Arman.

Russell was an entrepreneur. He started with an agricultural crop spraying business before expanding into bulk oil and gas distribution. When Interstate 90 was freshly completed, he and Janet, co-founders took a bold risk-building a large gas station, service center, restaurant, and bulk fuel business at Exit 201 under the Amoco brand. Their venture became more than a business; it was a gateway of introduction of their kids to the world, welcoming travelers from all walks of life, as well as a teaching ground for their three kids on hard-work, entrepreneurialism, business growth, risk, and delighting and helping all customers.

Their entrepreneurial journey was filled with challenges and triumphs. At one point, they brought their young children (all under the age of 10) to the unfinished second floor of this new (cement still fresh) Amoco business-plywood floors marked with masking tape to outline potential rooms-asking them to pick their bedrooms. Only years later did they reveal that this was not just an exercise in imagination but a lesson in risk-taking; had their business struggled, they had leveraged their home for the launch of it, so this new plywood and 2x4's would be their new home.

For over five decades, Russell and Janet worked side by side, each and every day, building multiple businesses in retail, oil and gas, services, and product distribution. They instilled in their children the values of hard work, perseverance, and continuous improvement. Russell had high expectations but always led by example-teaching through action rather than words. He had a knack for always finding more things his kids could have done to 'over-excel' on their work projects.

Beyond business, he loved trap shooting, building intricate model airplanes, and skiing-a passion that became a cherished family tradition. When the biggest snowstorms hit, many times with roads closing behind our family car, he would excitedly declare, "Load up-we're going skiing!" embarking on long 3 plus hour drives through snowdrifts to Deer Valley or Terry Peak in Deadwood, S.D. He also had a deep respect for small businesses and always chose family-owned motels knowing deeply what it takes to build it themselves.

Russell adored his kids and grandchildren and took great interest in their health, education, faith, and passions. At age 52, he and Janet made another bold move-relocating to Sioux Falls to provide greater opportunities for their children before eventually settling in the Twin Cities for over 30 years to be close to family. A dedicated Christian, he always dressed nicely and 'looked sharp' with her as they attended Hosanna Church in Lakeville.

Until Janet's pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2020, they traveled extensively-exploring Paris, Switzerland, Egypt, Hawaii, California, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Springfield, Mo., and their favorite destination-the Black Hills of South Dakota-where they honeymooned. They loved returning to their hometown's reconnecting with life-long friends and relatives.

A true jack-of-all-trades with an ingenious mind for problem-solving, Russell could fix anything-and we can't recall anything he couldn't. He never met a stranger; he greeted everyone with warmth, humor, and a generous spirit. His strong values-integrity, hard work, entrepreneurship, kindness, and faith-left an indelible mark on those who knew him.

Each morning during daily calls with his family, when asked how he was doing, he would quip "still kicking," before chatting about how happy he was that the sun was shining-regardless of the temperature. He loved a sunny day. Even now, his family knows he would have a witty remark to lighten their grief. He closed every call with "I love you."

No doubt Janet greeted him at heaven's gates with plenty to say as she brought him up to speed. Richard Russell Hurst was one-of-a-kind-a man who built more than businesses; he built bridges between hearts. His life reminds us to live boldly, love deeply, and laugh often.

Russell's celebration of life service will be Monday, March 10, with visitation at 10:30 and service at 11 am at Hosannah Church, 9600 163rd St. W in Lakeville, MN 55044

Link for virtual attendance will be provided.

He will join Janet at the columbarium following the service.

Cards for his family can be sent to "Russell Hurst family" at Fountains at the following address 9850 163rd St W Lakeville, MN 55044

For his passion for education: University of Minnesota Foundation: give.umn.edu/giving/making-gift