A Tribute to Russell Mesenbrink

My father, Russell Mesenbrink was born near Dow City, Iowa in 1915 and grew up in Denison. He married Dorothy Stephenson, served in WWII, and lived in Clinton, Zearing, and Ruthven, Iowa. He died in 1967.

Here he is, just a few months old, with Ben and Mildred (Brady) Mesenbrink.

Probably fall of 1915.

Russ riding the wagon with his dad, Ben around 1917.

This is Russ and his (double) cousin, Mabel Mesenbrink. Their dad's were brothers and their mothers were sisters.

I think this is Herbert Mesenbrink with Russ. Herbert and Ben were cousins.

This picture was taken around 1917. On the left is Frank Brady, Russ' grandfather. On right is Ben.

January 27, 1925 - Russ - 10, Donovan - 4, Virginia - 3, Junior - 6 mos.

Harold and Russ Mesenbrink, around 1935.

About 1940 - Mildred, Russell, Donovan, Janae, Virginia, Junior, Jarvis, Ben.

About 1960 - Back from left: Jarvis, Don, Russ, Ben; Front: Janae, Mildred, Virginia.

Russ in Modern Woodmen of America Drill Team at Camp Dodge, Iowa, about 1933.

Russ traveled in the west, maybe three different times between 1935 and 1940, hopping trains to get around, and working in fields, orchards, or in this case, construction. On the back of this picture, taken in 1940 he wrote "Our concrete paraphenalia and me, loose and cool." This was in Montana, probably near Miles City.

Russ married Dorothy Stephenson in 1941.

Taken in 1943, Clinton, Iowa, just before going to service.

Russ served as cook on the USS West Virginia in World War II. Here are Russ, RP Mathews, George White, and Robert Grimes.

After the war, Russ tried his hand at running a cafe, and then worked as foreman for Interstate Power Company in Clinton.

Here is Russ with sons, Ron and Bob, taken in Clinton, Iowa, Christmas 1959. Russ was reading the encyclopedia.

Blizzard at farm near Ruthven, Iowa in 1965. Bob and Russ. Red Ford Galaxie below.

One of the last photos taken of my father. This was on the west side of Ingham Lake north of Graettinger, Iowa. Bob and Russ Mesenbrink, Marvin, Sue and Janae (Mesenbrink) Meyer, September 1967.

Comments

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Family History Notes and Photos by Bob Mesenbrink

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