Cottrell, Russell T. 'Ted'

Ted was born March 23, 1924, on a farm in Polk Township, the youngest of three children to John M. and Mary M. Primmer Cottrell. In 1940, Ted was a member of the State Champion Poultry Judging Team in 4-H. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Vinton with the Class of 1941. Ted was elected to the State 4-H Club Treasurer's Office in 1944, but had to resign to serve his country in U.S. Navy during World War II.

On April 1944, Ted enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Ottawa AKA101 in the Pacific Fleet. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on June 7, 1946 in Minneapolis, Minn.

Ted met his wife to be, Naomi V. Peterson of Vinton on June 14, 1946, and they were married Feb. 16, 1947, for nearly 51 years until Naomi's death on Nov. 4, 1997.

He loved to watch the Chicago Cubs and University of Iowa Women's Basketball. He could always be seen during the summer time riding his John Deere mower on the streets of Vinton going to his next lawn to mow.

Ted is survived by one son, Gary Cottrell of Vinton; four grandchildren, Jason (Shannon) Cottrell and their children, Destiny and Dallas of Hiawatha, Jeanne (Steve) Johnson and their children, Daisy, Kort and Charlee all of Vinton, Justin Cottrell of Vinton, Jesse Cottrell of Brandon; and many, many good friends.

In addition to his parents and wife, Ted was preceded in death by one son, Garth in infancy.

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