Russell George Biros, age 77, son of George and Elizabeth (Soos) Biros was born May 17, 1942, in Chicago, Ill. He passed away Sept. 6, 2019, from complications of pulmonary fibrosis at Texas County Memorial Hospital, Houston, Mo.

He grew up on a farm near Haugen, Wis., and on his dad’s resort on Beaver Dam Lake in Cumberland, Wis. Russell attended Catholic grade school in Haugen, Wis., and the one room Wildcat School, after the family’s move to Oak Ridge Resort. He graduated high school in Cumberland, Wis., in 1960. He attended Rice Lake Vocational School and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1965.

He is preceded in death by his parents. Russell is survived by his wife of 50 years, JoAnne (Nordine) Biros; a brother, Dale Biros and wife, Ellen, of Minong, Wis.; a sister, Mary Rogers and husband, Mike, of Cumberland, Wis.; cousins, Richard and Susan Onderesin of Cumberland, Wis.; nephews, James Biros of Minong, Wis., and  Joe (Erin) Miller of Rice Lake, Wis.; niece, Anne (Sam) Carlson of Superior, Wis.; and great-nephews and nieces.

He and JoAnne lived briefly in St Paul, Minn., then lived in Cumberland, Wis., for 30 years and retired to a remote home in Texas County, Mo.

Russell worked in manufacturing for years, but his last and most favorite job was as a laundry truck driver for Sherry and David Ullom of Jerry City Laundry in Cumberland, Wis.

Russell enjoyed fishing, canoeing, hunting, camping, motorcycle racing, drag racing, building things from wood and Broadway musicals. He was a man of many talents, and loved helping people.

Before retirement, he started wood carving as a hobby which later grew into a full-time pursuit. He created artistic works of realistic fish and birds; winning regional and national competitions. Most recently he won his gold medal at the Vesterheim Museum folk art competition in Decorah, Iowa,  for his Norwegian style decorative carving. He also taught classes for fellow carving club members, for students at the Licking museum, and for Salem, Mo., High School art class.

Russell was a member of Lake of the Ozarks woodcarving club, Camdenton, Mo., Current River artists of Licking, Mo.; and member and president of the Spring Creek Artisans of Salem, Mo. He will be missed by his family, friends, neighbors and fellow artists.

The family is hosting a celebration of his life, from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Texas County Museum of Arts and History, 112 N. Main, Licking, Mo., 65542. Memorials may be made to the Texas County Museum of Arts and History, P. O. Box 344, Licking, Mo. Cremation was under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. A celebration is also being planned to take place in Cumberland, Wis., at a later date.

Last Update: Sep 10, 2019 7:42 am CDT