Russell Allen Scott, 72, passed away Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 at a hospital in Des Moines, IA.  A visitation will be held Saturday, August 19th from 2 to 4 p.m. at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.  Burial will be held at a later date.

Russell was born on April 20th, 1951, in Sioux Falls to Robert (Bob) and Janet (Jonason) Scott.  Russell attended Jefferson High school, graduating in 1969. Russell and the mother of his children, Marilyn (Nearman) Scott was married in 1980. They were later divorced in 2000. From their union, Stacey, Jill, and Lisa were born. He worked for a time as a car salesman and at Dakota Mechanical in Jefferson.

At a very young age, he began working alongside his parents at horse racetracks in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Arizona. Russell’s lifelong passion and expertise was working with horses in all aspects. He owned, trained, transported, and cared for thoroughbreds and saddle horses across the country through his entire lifetime.  He was known for being one of the only farriers in the area. Some of the tracks he traveled to included Park Jefferson, Fonner Park, Atokad, Aksarben, Canterbury Park, Prairie Meadows, Fort Pierre, Columbus, and Aberdeen.  While at the tracks, he spent time doing leather and tack repair.  As an outrider, he was proud of his thrilling loose horse catches. He loved the work that he was known for and the company that he kept. He had no plans for retirement.

Russell was also known throughout his travels for the wheeling and dealing of antiques and other rare finds. He was talented in restoring antique wood burning stoves, even selling one to Wilford Brimley. He loved searching at auctions and flea markets for overlooked treasures. Russell enjoyed pheasant and elk hunting, history, visiting museums, and watching Anique Roadshow.

He will be greatly missed by numerous lifelong friends and countless acquaintances.  Russell kept up with many people through weekly phone calls and visits regardless of where he was.

Russell will be remembered by his loving family, step-daughter Belinda (Dennis) Johnson of McCook Lake and children, Jory (Kelsey) Bertrand, Colby (Nessa) Grant and Nova, Shayla and Brenna Johnson; daughter Stacey (Doug) Langley of McCook Lake and children, Gavin, Bryer, and Dawson Langley; daughter Jill (Curtis) Hoogendoorn of North Sioux City and children Vera, Fredrick, Hubert, and Mick Hoogendoorn; daughter Lisa (Colten) Graves of Sioux City; one sister-in-law Amanda Scott.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; one brother, Ronald; one infant sister, Barbara.