Russell O. Lokken, age 70, of Brookings, passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Brookings Emergency Room.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 1, from 5-7 p.m. at Eidsness Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, at Our Savior Lutheran Church with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery at White, SD.
Russell was born on Jan. 8, 1954, to Herbert and Wanda (Ibach) Lokken in Hendricks, MN. The family lived on a farm near Astoria, SD. Russell attended country school and graduated from Deubrook Area Schools in 1972. After graduation, Russell continued his education by attending SDSU and Mankato State University. Later in life, Russell returned to college and graduated with his MBA from USD.
Russell began a lifelong career at SDSU in 1980. He retired in 2018, as the business manager for Animal Disease Research. Russell was an active member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, where he served in various capacities including Treasurer. He also volunteered in Brookings County during election times at the various polling locations.
Russell will be remembered for his love of photography, reading, coin collecting, feeding the squirrels, and taking care of his feline companions.
Survivors include his siblings, Cynthia Stoebner of White, Paul (Patti) Lokken of Mankato, MN, Dawn (Steve) McCarthy of Brookings, and Donald Lokken of White; brother-in-law, Neil King of Sioux Falls, SD; and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kathy King; and one nephew, Andrew McCarthy
