Russell O. "Rus" Erickson, 73, of Havre, died of congestive heart failure at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA, on April 20, 2013. Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church in Havre with Pastor John Chapman officiating. Committal services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at Hillcrest Lawn Mausoleum in Great Falls. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements, and you can leave your memories and condolences for the family at www.hollandbonine.com. Rus was born in Havre to O. W. "Wally" and Ruby (Charlton) Erickson, and raised on his parent's farm west of Fairfield. In his youth, he owned a horse and spent hours riding and caring for his horse. His mom always said Rus was not very tall, but sat tall in the saddle. He attended school at Golden Ridge Elementary, graduated from Fairfield High, and studied architecture at MSU in Bozeman. His college years were interrupted by a call from his country. He joined the US Army in 1961, and married Janice J. Boule in Great Falls in June of that year. Rus went to basic training, followed by a year of technical school studying microwave communications at Fort Monmouth, JN. He served in Verdun, France for two years. He and Janice were able to travel to various destinations in Europe and Scandinavian countries during that time. He returned to Montana and employment by Mountain State Telephone and Telegraph in Billings. After one year, that job moved Rus and Janice to Havre, where they remained. He retired from a 30 year career with the company (now known as CenturyLink) in 1995 as a sub foreman. He also worked as an independent contractor for Storm Water Construction for several years. Rus drew the plans, built, and finished their beautiful family home west of Havre. He was a Licensed Property Manager, and he and Janice started a rental business with eight rental apartments, and managed rentals for other owners. Rus was still active in this business, sharing with Janice the managing of records and doing much of the maintenance and repair work required. Rus was a member of First Baptist Church in Havre. He taught an electronics class at MSU Northern for two years, and served as President of Eagles' Club #166 and as Vice President of the statewide IBEW. He had many interests and talents including earning a license to fly small aircraft, the planning and actual building of the family home west of Havre, building anything from wood, earning his license to trap up and down the hi-line, fishing, hunting, and camping. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family and his grandkids. Rus was a master craftsman and whatever he did, he did well! Rus was preceded in death by his parents Wally and Ruby Erickson. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Janice Erickson of Havre; his daughters Glenda Jane (Mark) Knudsen of Malta, and Laura Lynn (Darrell) Powell of Spokane; his nine grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; his sister Marilyn (Jim) Ployhar of Great Falls; his two brothers Joe (Bonee) Erickson of Ulm and Sid (Janet) Erickson of Helena; and numerous nieces and nephews. In his last days, Rus told Janice that he was ready to go. He said he had a good life with good jobs, travel, and many activities he enjoyed. He went on to say he had the best wife in the world; he had two exceptional daughters, nine terrific grandchildren, and two amazing great-granddaughters. He had no regrets and is at peace with his Lord and Savior. Rest in peace beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.