Russell Warren Bouchie, age 79, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis MN.

Russell "Russ" was born June 6, 1945, in Bertha, Minnesota to Clifford and Arvilla (Johnson) Bouchie. Russ grew up in Bertha, Minnesota and graduated from Eagle Bend High School.

Following graduation Russ took a job with Donaldson's Department Store in downtown Minneapolis. During his time in the Twin Cities, Russ was drafted into the United States Army and entered military service on December 14, 1965, serving during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge on December 13, 1967 after being a volunteer at Edgewood Arsenal as a human experiment; he returned to the Twin Cities and began working for Richfield and Bloomington Schools, first as a bus driver then later as a custodian. Russ married Cheryl Talley, and together they moved to the family farm in Bertha where Russ took over the farming operation. Russ and Cheryl were involved in a terrible accident that took Cheryl's life, and because of injuries, forced Russ to give up farming.

On October 23, 1978, Russ was united in marriage to Charlotte Ann Mostoller in Baltimore, Maryland. They started their life together in Grand Rapids, MN where they have lived their entire married life. In 1981 Charlotte's sister passed away and left behind six children. Russ and Charlotte raised those six children as their own. Over a ten-year period, Russ and Charlotte provided foster care for over 80 children. Russ and Charlotte were caretakers for over 100 apartments in the Grand Rapids Area, many of which they owned themselves as part of Bouchie Rentals. The last leg of Russ's career was Director of Buildings and Grounds for the Deer River School District, retiring in 2012. Having a lifelong love of farming, Russ enjoyed collecting John Deere models.

Russ is survived by his wife of 45 years, Charlotte; sisters Linda (Donald) White of Randall, MN, Diane (John) Monnier of Breezy Point, MN, Donna Bouchie of St. Cloud, MN; great nephew Dylan Hamlin and Fiance Alicia Stougard and their children CJ and Tyson; great nephew Jeffrey Julien; great niece Chyanne Julien and son Daxton, great nephew Martin Nefzger and children Briar and Ellen, all of Grand Rapids, MN; brother-in-law Gordon and Audrey Mostoller of Deer River, MN; sisters-in-law Jeanette (Art) Hamm of Warba, MN, Jennifer Mostoller of Grand Rapids, and Carmen Bouchie of Grantsburg, WI and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Cheryl Talley; sister Phyllis Pittelkow; brother Ronald Bouchie.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Grace Bible Chapel, Grand Rapids, MN. Reverend Charles Nelson will officiate. Burial with full military honors will follow at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 21, 2024, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, MN, and will continue Monday afternoon at the church from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM.