Russell Nerison

Russell Nerison, 87, Jamestown, North Dakota, died Monday, December 20, 2004 at MedCenter Health Systems in Bismarck, ND.

Russ was born to the Rev. and Mrs. George Nerison (Ina Cooper) on December 20, 1917 at Wilmot, South Dakota. He graduated from Wilmot High School in June 1936. He attended Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD for one semester in 1936. He came to North Dakota in the spring of 1937, and engaged in farming in Pierce County until WWII and for two years after his return.

He served in the US Army Air Corps from October 1942 to October 1945, spending the time in England. In the the fall of 1947, Russ entered the University of North Dakota and was a member of Phi Eta Sitma, freshman honorary society. He married Marjorie Mott of Rolla, ND on June 18, 1948. They had three children, Tom, Kathy and Bill. Russ attended UND School of Law, graduating with a Bachelor of Law degree in June 1952. The next year he became the first law clerk to the ND Supreme Court. He was editor in chief of the ND Law Review. He entered private law practice in Jamestown. He joined the law firm of Rittgers, Hjellum and Weiss on June 1, 1954.

Russ was a member of the Jamestown Elks Club, Jamestown Country Club and Grace Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry. He was past Judge Advocate of the American Legion, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Bar Association. He was past president of the Jamestown Kiwanis Club, the Stutsman County Bar Association, the Fourth Judicial District Bar Association and the Civic Music Association. He served on the Jamestown School Board for seven years and on the Stutsman County Library Board.

Russ is survived by his wife, Marjorie, Jamestown, two sons, Tom (Doreen), Kalispell, MT and Bill (Brenda), Missoula, MT and one daughter, Kathy Nerison, Brooklyn Center, MN and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

Memorial Service: 10:30 AM, Monday, December 27, 2004 at the Grace Episcopal Church, Jamestown, with The Rev. Bart Davis officiating.

No visitation is scheduled.

Burial: Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown, North Dakota.