Russ Wilson

Russ Wilson passed away on March 9th, 2025 at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center, Iowa due to complications of Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy, a disease he battled all his life.

Russ grew up in Adair, he was quite the entrepreneur at a young age when he got a lawn mower and mowed yards in town for many years. He also helped several farmers with bailing hay, working as a farmhand and milking cows.

Russ graduated from Adair-Casey High School in 1981. After high school he went to college for Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in Decorah, Iowa. After college he returned to Adair and opened Wilson’s Plumbing and Heating. He ran this business for over 30 years with his dad until he had to retire in 2014 due to his illness.

Russ met the love of his life, Tammy Nelson in 1989. They were married on September 28, 1991, and made their home in Adair. In 1994 they welcomed Benjamin Leroy William to their family.

Russ loved spending time with his family camping and attending many scouting events over the years. He was very determined, some might say bullheaded, but he didn’t let the disease be an excuse. He pushed himself to attend family events and never complained about how he felt. He cherished each day with his family and treasured those moments. Russ stayed sharp on family happenings, always asking how family members were doing and attending as many events as he could. He was so very happy when Ben found his wife and was able to be there when they were married.

The last year was a rough one for Russ as his health declined and he had to go to the nursing home in Guthrie Center. He enjoyed it when his family and friends would visit and shared with Tammy who had been there and what the gossip he found out from those visits.

Russ is survived by his wife Tammy; son Benjamin and wife Kelsey of Omaha NE; siblings Ronda and Lonny Barker of Casey, Becky and Danny Claussen of Adair, Jamaica and Mike Reed of Adair, Keisha Nguyen and Jacob Watson of Bedford; brothers and sisters-in-law Bill and Jinger Nelson of Atlantic, Diana and Shane Smith of Anita, Mike and Gloria Nelson of Dundee; Uncle Jim and Aunt Donna of Anita, and many, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ron and Lil Wilson; mother and father-in-law Bill and Maxine Nelson; uncle and aunts Larry, Joan, and Mary Lou Phillips; maternal grandparents Carol and Glenn Phillips; paternal grandparents Anna and Roy Wilson; and niece Tori Barker.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Adair Fire Hall.

Private Graveside Services will be at the Greenfield Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Adair Fire Department or the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation and can be sent in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home to P.O. Box 523 Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Adair is caring for the Wilson family at this time.