Russell Lee Korf

We knew a man with a quick wit, friendly handshake and a ready joke. We are an honored family to have had Russell Lee Korf as our family patriarch, leaving us a loving legacy of dedication, faithfulness, support and courage. 

Russell was born on the family homestead on December 10, 1927 to Louis Henry Korf and Anna Belle (Cook) Korf. He was greeted by his two sisters Eura and Vada.  His niece Velda later joined the family and became like a little sister.  He passed peacefully at home on May 4, 2017. 

Russell was united in marriage to Darlene Mitchell on August 11, 1948.  To this union of 68 years, three children were born; Vicki Sue, D’Ann Verdyll and Mitchell Lee. 

In Paul Harvey’s words, “And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, ‘I need a caretaker.’ So God made a farmer.” Russ was a farmer.  He followed his father’s footsteps to become a 3rd generation farmer on the family homestead. The farm received the Colorado Centennial farm award in 1986.

Russell served in the U.S. Army from April, 1946 to September, 1947.  After finishing basic training in Leesville, Louisiana, Russell embarked for Japan from San Francisco Bay under the Golden Gate Bridge. Nine days later they arrived at Pearl Harbor in a leaky ship. Nine holes were discovered and repaired before departing for Japan.  He was saddened to discover the devastation in Pearl Harbor of damaged ships, oil slicks and partially  submerged airplanes.  Leaving Hawaii the ship docked at Yokohama where he took a train to Kyoto and served as a clerk typist in hospital records. Russell achieved the rank of Technician 5 and received the WWII Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal Japan.

Russ joined the Yuma Lions Club in 1955.  The Club soon became his avenue for community service. He remained a member for 60 years until he retired from the Club in 2015.  He served in many leadership roles including President, but his favorite was Tail-Twister.  Russ was awarded Yuma Lion of the Year in 1994-95 and 1996-97.  In 1997 he was also awarded the Anne Sullivan Award.  He was a Melvin Jones Fellow and received the Paul M. Barbour Award in 2016.

Russell served the Yuma agriculture community as a board member and Secretary of Yuma Equity Co-op.  His hobbies were bowling, playing softball,  driving the boat for family water skiing outings, hunting, fishing, attending rodeos and going on family vacations. He was a faithful lifetime member of the Yuma Community of Christ Church. 

Russell is missed by his wife Darlene, daughter Sue and husband Mike Mueller of Dumas, Texas; daughter D’Ann and husband Mike Bennett of Fort Collins, Colorado; and son Mitchell and wife Cindy Korf of North Platte, Nebraska; nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Proceeding Russell in death were his parents Louis and Anna Korf, his sisters Eura Andrews and Vada McCasland, his niece Velda (Andrews) Seedorf, their spouses and his Mitchell in-laws.

Russ leaves his family and friends with many fond memories. His support of Darlene’s education and teaching career built a legacy of higher education which allowed him to celebrate the college graduation of all of his children and grandchildren. Today there are ten teachers in the family.

There was a memorial service on May 8, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the Community of Christ Church with Elder Mitch Korf officiating.  There was a private family inurnment at the Yuma Cemetery. Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.