Russell Gene Case
February 24th 1960- November 21st 2021
In the early morning hours of Sunday November 21st, Russell Gene Case, the father of Randi Jean Oostveen and Elisha Jamie Wilcken, took his final breathes peacefully in his sleep and passed on from this mortal life into the loving arms of those that he longed so much to see. His father Walter, his mother Bernita, and his older brother Jim. Along with a multitude of family members that he'd spent a lifetime caring for and loving unconditionally.
Russell was a simple man. Born of hard work and perseverance that he'd learned from watching his father move his family around the Western United States, following major road project, after major road project. Watching his father work so hard for his family taught Russell the value of being able to provide with his own hands, and the importance of having a tight knit family as they moved fifteen times before the completion of his time in High School. Never staying in one place long enough to develop long term relationships with kids his own age. As such, he became very close with his brother Jim who was just eleven months older than him, and his sister Dorine just eleven months younger. A bond so deep that when Jim lost his life in an automobile accident at 19 years old in 1978, Russell was never able to recover from and found himself on the path of drug addiction to help ease the pain. An addiction that taxed his body so heavily over the years that he physically couldn't escape it in the end. He suffered a major stroke in 2018 and was never able to recover. Finally succumbing to its grip Sunday morning.
Russell married Denise Lucero in 1983 and together they had two beautiful daughters. Randi and Elisha. They raised their daughters on their small farm in Lapoint, Utah. With their summers spent on the mountain following different timber sales Russell was logging. Married for 24 years before going their separate ways, the two maintained a friendship that lasted right up until the end of Russell's life.
Russell loved life. He loved rock hunting, hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors. He loved the mountains and the freedom to spend his time there. Logging and cutting timber with many of his lifetime friends and companions. Living away from the hustle and bustle, is exactly where he felt most at home. Russell was a man of so many talents, and such a gifted personality. A jokester with a sense of humor he displayed right up until his last conversation. Never missing the chance to make people smile, or tell a joke, even at the most inappropriate times. But always when you needed that smile the most.
Russell lived life hard. He loved unconditionally. And would have given the literal shirt off his back to those in need, and did so on many occasions. Much of his life remains a mystery. Pieces placed from a memory here, and a note there. But a life, without question that was absolutely lived until the very end.
Until we meet again.
Russell is survived by his daughters; Randi (Bobby) Oostveen and Elisha (Jeff) Wilcken of Vernal. His Sisters; Dorine (Paul) Miller of Brady, Texas and Dena Gardiner of Glenrock, Wyoming. His Grandkids; Korbin, Camden, RyLee, Gavin, Payton, Haydn, and Emree.
He was proceeded in death by his parents Walter and Bernita Case. His brother Jim. And many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.
Per his wishes, services will be determined at a later date.
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