Obituary: Krupke, Russell V.
Age 86
Mr. Krupke was born on May 24, 1927 in Spokane, WA to Arno and Marie Krupke of Edwall, WA.
Russell was a graduate of Reardan High School and spent one quarter at Seattle Pacific College.
He was called back from college to work on the farm in Edwall due to his father’s ill health.
In 1947, he met Yvonne Steward at a Youth for Christ Rally in Sprague, WA.
They fell in love quickly and were married in 1948.
They lived and worked on the farm in the Reardan-Edwall area were they raised their three children.
In 1972, they moved to Davenport, WA where Russell continued his other career as a Safeway store manager where he worked for 20 years.
Russell also held an additional job as an insurance agent for Farmers Insurance Agency.
In 1989, after Russell retired from Safeway, they built a new home and moved to Spokane where they enjoyed many years together with their family and friends.
They both loved to travel and their favorite place was the ocean, both the Oregon and Florida coastlines.
Russell and Yvonne were on the founding board of Christian Heritage Schools located in Edwall.
Their true love for over 63 years of marriage is an example of two people that were committed to God and to each other.
Together they befriended and mentored many in Christian guidance.
Their love and strong faith in their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ carried them through the struggles of Yvonne’ s battle with Parkinson’s disease and its unpleasant effects on the body and mind.
Russell solely cared for his wife at home which began to take its toll on his physical health a year prior to her passing in 2011.
He remained in his home and carried on for another year and a half but he was never the same again without her by his side.
During this time, his mind was sharp as a tack but he could no longer physically walk on his own and the arthritic back pain was almost unbearable.
But eventually, it was his broken heart that got the best of him.
Russell was deeply loved and respected by all those who knew him.
A man of many talents who could fix anything with duct tape and bailing wire!
A wheat farmer, Shorthorn breeder, insurance agent, manager of people, mentor to all as well as an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.
His smile, sense of humor, and storytelling will be greatly be missed by all.
Our comfort comes in knowing that he is now in Heaven able to walk and run hand in hand with Yvonne singing “It Had to Be You”!
Both are now made perfect with His holiness and together again where they both longed to be.
Russell Vernon Krupke is survived by his children, Chuck (Betty) Krupke of Kamloops, Canada, BC, Marcia (Mark) Smith of Davenport, WA, and Tammi Farmer of Spokane Valley, WA; four grandchildren Laurie (Mike) Holden of Mt.
Vernon, WA, Nicholas (Stephanie) Krupke of Portland, OR, and TeeJay (Shaniqua Nilles) Farmer and Treasure Farmer of Spokane Valley; three great-grandchildren, Kaelyn Holden, Kinsley Krupke, and Nevaeh Farmer; sister, Hazel Scholer of Reardan, WA.
Memorial Service to celebrate Russell’s life will be held on Saturday, July 20th, at 1pm at Heritage Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Heritage School, Edwall, WA or a charity of choice.