Russell Lowell Dougherty was born on June 9, 1929 at Sherwood, Iowa in Calhoun County. He was the son of Bert and Sue (Holder) Dougherty. Russell was raised on a farm north of Lake City, Iowa for many years. He went to school in Rockwell City, Iowa.
On September 22, 1948, Russell was united in marriage to Rosemary (Fowler) at Aberdeen, South Dakota. The couple lived near Lake City, Iowa. He farmed until 1969, when he broke his back, and then worked in construction until retirement, living in Calhoun and Sac counties. Due to illness he made his home with his daughter in Milford, Iowa, until he could no longer take care of himself and then made his home in the Milford Nursing Center where he made many friends.
Russell was an active member of the Lutheran Church. In his spare time he enjoyed playing cards (500), playing bingo with his family and watching television.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Susan Mason (Neal Anderson) of Milford, Iowa, Pamela Dougherty of Bollivar, Missouri, Mary (Doug) Brock of Willard, Missouri; sons, Russell Eugene (Mary) Dougherty of Manson , Iowa, Ernie (Doreen) Dougherty of
Topeka, Kansas, Paul Dougherty of Bollivar, Missouri; brother in law, John Duden of Des Moines, Iowa; sister in law, Patricia (Ed) Smith of Arvada, Colorado. Fifteen grandchildren, twenty one great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Rosemary, brother, Roy, sisters Margerie and Mary Alice, mother-in-law, Marie and two great granddaughters.