Samuel Russiff

Visitation: Monday, March 28, 2011 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Family receiving friends: Monday, March 28, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home.

Funeral services: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Interment: Custer County Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post 1579.

Surrounded by his family, Samuel Louis Russiff, age 75, of Olive passed away on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City after a courageous 3 year battle with cancer.

Sam was born at Coalwood, Montana on November 29, 1935, the son of Pete and Donna (Minow) Russiff. He attended country schools in the Cross S/Mizpah area and graduated from Custer County High School in 1953. He maintained many friendships from high school his whole life and talked frequently of the people he met during those years. After graduation Sam entered the United States Army where he was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA serving as a mechanic. Sam was very proud of the medal he received for working at the Squaw Valley Olympics while he was in the Army. He married Joan Poffenberger, his wife of 47 years, on October 20, 1962 at Miles City. In December of 1963, they moved to their ranch on the Mizpah Creekwhere theyraised their family. A skilled equipment operator, Sam did most all of the dirtwork himself to develop the ranch's irrigation system. With the eye of a true cattleman, Sam built a good herd of commercial cattle that has served the ranch well for years. Sam lived and worked at the ranch until his death.

Sam's hobbies were few, but brought him great pleasure. He enjoyed gardening. His green thumb yielded many bumper crops of peppers,tomatoes, and other vegetables for the family to enjoy. He enjoyed watching sporting events of all kinds. A Lakersgame on TV was cause to shut down for the day. In recent years, the sporting activities of his grandson Andrew moved to the top of the priority list. Many enjoyable trips were made to watch to his new favorite star perform.

Sam loved the ranch on the Mizpah. He took great pride in his quality herd of Black Angus cattle, and continually worked to improve them. He also embraced his Bulgarian heritage and kept himself very well informed about his family's history and traditions. He especially enjoyed the ethnic foods from his heritage.

There was no such thing as a quick conversation with Sam. He was most happy sitting down with a cup of coffee and having a long, detailed visit with a friend. Many a new friend of Sams was acquired by a simple hello, which he was always willing to give. His genuine love of a good conversation was never more evident than at the end of his life. Despite the discomfort of his illness, he enjoyed many long and sincere visits with his family and friends. They meant a great deal to him. His talkative, curious nature will be greatly missed.

Sam is survived by a son, Brian Russiff of Olive, MT; a daughter SharLa (Stephen) Lalum of Lewistown, MT; his mother-in-law, Stella Poffenberger of Miles City, MT; a special grandson Andrew Lalum; his brother Jim Russiff of Olive, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Joan in 2009 and three brothers: Nick, John and George.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 28, 2011 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Custer County Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post #1579. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.