RUSSELL PINGEL

Russell W. Pingel, 83, of Menasha, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 2, 1928 in the Town of Clayton, the son of the late Wallace and Eva (Knutson) Pingel. Russell was a soft spoken man with a great sense of humor. His extended family and friends admired and respected him. He had fond memories of growing up on his familys farm and enjoyed working the land with his father. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952, including duty overseas in Germany. He was employed by Marathon/American Can Company from 1948 until his retirement. Russell was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and he had season tickets for several years. He was in attendance at the 1967 Ice Bowl at Lambeau Field and attended Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans with his son-in-law, Michael Weaver. He loved playing the game of golf with his buddies and was a member of the Sherwood Forest Country Club. Russells only hole-in-one happened in April 1995 at Rend Lake Golf Club in Southern Illinois on his way back to Wisconsin after visiting his daughter in New Orleans. He could often be found at the Third Street Diner where he enjoyed visiting with the waitresses and meeting his friends. Russell is survived by his daughter, Dana (Michael) Weaver of New Orleans, LA; brothers: Lyle (Etola) Pingel, Waupaca; and Wayne Pingel, Appleton; sisters: Virginia Jury, Minneapolis, MN; and Bernice Bondow, Menasha; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, John Pingel; brothers-in-law: Emerson Jury and Earl Bondow; and sisters-in-law: Helen Pingel and Carol Pingel. The funeral service for Russell will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 26, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 Broad Street, Menasha. Visitation will be at church from 9:00 A.M. until the hour of service. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Russells name. The family wishes to thank the second floor ICU at Theda Clark in Neenah for their dedicated and thoughtful care of Russell during his stay and for making him comfortable in his final days.