Russel Dorwin Wolff
Russel Wolff, age 95 of Morris, Minnesota, passed away Friday, December 19, 2025.
Visitation for Russ Wolff will be held Sunday, December 28, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN.
Visitation will continue from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, MN.
Funeral services for Russel Wolff will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, MN, with Father Todd Schneider officiating.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Morris in the spring.
Russ passed away peacefully on Friday, December 19, 2025, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota, at the age of 95, following a fall. He had undergone his first triple bypass surgery at the age of 52 and, by the grace of God and with the steadfast support of his loving wife, Joan, was blessed with an additional 43 years of life. In his final days, Russ was surrounded by family, filling his hospital room with laughter, stories, and card games, exactly as he would have wanted.
Russ was born on August 25, 1930, to George and Clara (Hanebuth) Wolff in Perham, Minnesota. He graduated from Waubun High School in 1949 and earned his teaching degree from Teachers College in Mayville, North Dakota, in 1953. He later completed his master’s degree at the University of North Dakota.
In 1953, Russ was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served during the Korean War. He served with honor and distinction and was honorably discharged in 1955.
After his military service, Russ devoted his life to education, spending decades as a teacher and making a lasting impact on countless students. He loved helping young people grow and succeed, and many carried his lessons long after leaving his classroom.
While teaching in Cyrus, Minnesota, Russ met the love of his life, Joan Finnegan, on a blind date. They married on June 20, 1959, beginning a partnership that lasted more than six decades. Together, they raised three children. The family lived in Glenwood, Alvarado, and Bertha before settling in Morris, where Russ continued his teaching career and embraced one of his greatest passions, coaching track. He treasured the time spent with his athletes, celebrating their successes and instilling
Russ will be dearly missed by his wife of 66 years: Joan; his children: Robert (Jennifer) Wolff of Chaska, MN, David (Jessie) Wolff of Chokio, MN, and Mary (Tom) Zosel of Morris, MN; six grandchildren: Maggie Horning, Laura (Brian) Ennen, Emma (Isaac) Wente, Jacob (Lexi) Zosel, Joe Wolff, and Sam Wolff; and seven great-grandchildren: Mason, Brynlee, Madison, Hayley, Natalie, Oaks, and Leo; his sister: Beverly Beling; brother-in-law: Larry Finnegan, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Clara Wolff; his brother: Donald Wolff; sisters Viola (Leonard) Olson, Evelyn (Richard) Kvamme, and Helen (Ronald) Fasteen; brother-in-law, Lloyd Beling; parents-in-law: Joe and Norma Finnegan; and sister-in-law: Nancy Finnegan.
Arrangements are with Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN.
