Russell James Hunstad

Russell James Hunstad, age 79, of New Prague, MN, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 6, 2025, while his family surrounded his bedside at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. 

A celebration of life for Russ will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 11 am, with a gathering from 9-10:45 am, at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Road NW, Prior Lake, MN. Pastor Jonathan Rundman will preside. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Russ’ memory by the family. Services will be livestreamed through https://www.youtube.com/live/06OuF2UEH7M.

Born in Butterfield, Minnesota on February 25, 1945, Russell James Hunstad was the youngest child of Olaf and Ida Hunstad. Growing up on the family farm, his four sisters loved their baby brother dearly. His strong, quiet faith was steadfast throughout his upbringing, and ever after.

A 1963 graduate of Butterfield High School (yearbook comments called out his athletic ability, brains, and winning smile), Russell headed to the University of Minnesota. In 1964, he married Barbara Holm, and in 1969 they welcomed their sweet baby daughter, Leslie Erin.

Though his marriage to Barbara didn’t last, their love for Leslie held so strong. Soon enough, he found his best friend and partner in life, faith, and dancing on the porch, Rev. Diana Hunstad. When they married in 1982, he also became stepdad to Jeffery.

When he wasn’t driving his freight truck, the humble and hard worker found joy in fishing his home-base, Cedar Lake, upon his trusty ‘70s pontoon, hunting with his cousins—his brothers, really—and nephews, singing in choir, trips to Rainy Lake with Gary and Jim Kersten, golfing, motorcycling with Diana, and sitting quietly in a chair at the farm, listening to a good album or laughing with his cousin and oldest, best friend, Wayne Sandbo.

He liked his ice cream with peanuts and a lot of chocolate syrup, plus a splash of brandy. His signature text sign-off was heart emoji, prayer hand emoji, hug emoji. When he gazed at you, you could tell how much he loved you (a whole lot).

We will celebrate him by savoring both food and conversation at family dinners, appreciating every sunset on the lake and over the corn fields, and figuring out how to fix things that are broken. We will miss him deeply, forever and always.

Russell is survived by his wife, Reverend Diana Hunstad; daughter, Leslie (Igor) Vilensky; stepson, Jeffery Hunstad; granddaughters, Ava and Sophia; sisters, Marge Hanson, Karen Juhring, and Dolores (Howard) Peterson; brother-in-law David Scott; brothers and sisters in-law Larry (Jan) Krueger, Lyle (Luanne) Krueger, Leon (Pam) Krueger, Judy Krueger, and Mary (Mike) Deluhery; and many other adored cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Russell is preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Ida Hunstad; sister, Mary Scott; brothers-in-law Wayne “Bink” Hanson and Kit Juhring; nephews, Chad Peterson and Kevin Hanson; and in-laws, Everett and Bernice Krueger.

The family wishes floral arrangements would be ordered through Indulge and Bloom. Please use the following link to access the Indulge and Bloom website: indulgeandbloom.com or by calling 612-343-0000.

Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly served the Hunstad family.