Russell Zangger

Larchwood, Iowa Russell G. Zangger, age 90, of Larchwood, Iowa died Monday, September 24, 2012 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. A Celebration of Life will honor his achievements and be held after the annual fly-in at the Larchwood Airport in July of 2013. Mr. Zangger was born to Charlie and Lina Zangger, February 22, 1922 (2/22/22) on the family farm east of Larchwood where he has lived his entire life. He is proud to have recently received a Century Farm award at the Iowa State Fair this past August and has lived on the farm 90 of the 100 years the farm has been in the family. Russell attended a one room rural school and Larchwood High School. After leaving school he farmed with his father raising Polled Hereford cattle and row crops. His primary transportation during the war was a Harley and courted his wife to be with it. They were married on May 24, 1944 at Dollys parents home near Turkey Ridge, SD. They were adventurous and traveled through 46 of the 48 states on the Harley, but after a couple of narrow escapes decided to trade in the motorcycle for an airplane. They began their family when Jim was born in 1949 and Russs interest in aviation grew. Russ and Dolly threw all of their energy into aviation and are the only couple inducted into the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame for their contributions to aviation in Iowa. They have literally taught many hundreds of people to fly in the Sioux Falls area. His passions have always been strong and after retirement he has devoted his time with the study of scripture. He soon learned that the laws of the Old Testament were difficult for man to obey and understood the reason for Christs coming. The New Covenant is simplified in Mk 12:31 where it says: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than this. Russell believes in the creator and that his design is perfect. For every function there is a reason but some intellectuals believe they can improve upon it through ritualistic alterations for a variety of invalid reasons. A practice introduced in the Old Testament and originally supported by the medical profession as routine has since been proven medically unjustifiable by The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Many myths exist but far more harm will be done with the procedure than without. It is Russells dying wish that people will learn to honor and respect Gods design as perfect and that, as Christians, will come to understand the New Testament (Covenant) speaks against this practice. Christ came for our salvation and has given us the New Covenant to guide us. Russell is at peace with his relationship with Christ and is looking forward to the rest of his days with him. Russell was preceded in death by his sister Edith, mother Lina, father Charlie, brother Clinton and his wife Marie (Dolly) of 66 years. He is survived by his son Jim and wife Cecelia of Larchwood, grandchildren Kimberly Tucker and Justen of Cedar Rapids, Dan and his wife Jane of Los Angeles, his great grandchildren Audrey and Grant Tucker and Claire Zangger. Also surviving is his sister-in-law Blondina Zangger of Mesa, Arizona.