Russell Leonard Sellnau

Russell Leonard Sellnau, age 65, from Bryant, IA, passed away on December 15, 2024. A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 21 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charlotte, IA, at 11 a.m. Visitation will take place at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Preston, IA, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday December 20, as well as one hour prior to Saturday’s service.

Russell was born January 29, 1959, in Clinton, IA, the son of Leonard and Leanne (Kruckenberg) Sellnau. As a teenager, Russell began working in carpentry and construction, and after graduating from Northeast High School with the class of 1977, he decided to make a career out of his trade. He started his own carpentry business, accepting small projects at first, but it was only a few years until he was executing custom home builds with a team of employees. It was during these early years that he found his life’s love and started a family of his own.

On March 28, 1981, Russell married Kathy Watters, in Maquoketa, IA. Together they had two sons and created a wonderful life together. Russell capitalized on his passion for carpentry and focused primarily on new builds and sizeable remodels—over the course of his career, he built over 100 new homes in the neighboring communities. In addition, he carried on with his father’s legacy and farmed the family farm to this day. He grew corn and soybeans, and always found time to tend to his gardens. He was constantly improving the landscaping around his home. Those who worked with Russell, or enjoyed the fruits of his labor, can attest to the attention to detail upon which he built his business and managed his life.

When Russell wasn’t engaging in his passions, he could be found enjoying watching his Hawkeyes, Bears, and Cubs. He and Kathy routinely travelled to Iowa games over the years and made it to some Bears and Cubs games as well. But Russell’s favorite travels always involved his family-- especially his grandchildren the last several years. He enjoyed visiting his son and daughter-in-law in New York in their early years, and more recently, in the Pacific Northwest as they raised “Papa’s” two little grandkids. He also loved frequently visiting his other son in the Cedar Rapids area to socialize, watch sports together, mini-golf and enjoy some great barbeque together.

After a life of dedicated work, Russell was able to enjoy retirement in his final years. He had always liked dogs, and he looked forward to the times he and Kathy would keep their son’s dog, for the weekend. The simple things in life took center stage, as he kept up with the grandkids, and spent most mornings shooting the breeze with his group of friends at the Goose Lake C Store.

Russell will be dearly missed by his wife of 43 years, Kathy; sons, Andrew (Van Lu) Sellnau, of Seattle, WA and Derek Sellnau, of Palo, IA; grandchildren, Daxton and Oliver; sister, Sandra Sellnau, of Cedar Rapids, IA; brothers, Darrell Sellnau, of DeWitt, IA, and David (Peggy) Sellnau, of Charlotte; brothers-in-law, Bill Watters and Steve (Rosie) Watters; and sisters-in-law, Helen Watters and Pam (Konrad) Murphy. Russell is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Leanne; grandson, Beacon; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Elsie Watters; and brother-in-law, Bob Watters.