Russell Arthur Bjork

Russell Arthur Bjork, age 83 of Fairfield, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at his home.

Open visitation will be 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 27, 2020, at Behner Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Steve Pfeifer officiating .  Memorials may be made to the VA Hospital in Iowa City, IA. Cards and memorials may be mailed to Danny Campbell, 1899 Hwy #1 North, Fairfield, Iowa 52556

Russell was born May 3, 1936, to Arthur and Mirthel (Gonder) Bjork in Pleasant Plain, Iowa.

Russell served in the Navy from 1957-1961. He was an engineer for 18 years at Fairfield Engineering and installed automatic feeding systems.  In 1960’s Russell drag raced and did wheel stands.  In the 70’s he helped start industrial machining “DLR” in his garage.    In the 80’s Russell and Danny started many restaurants, would get them going and then sell them.  Those restaurants were Georges Pizza & Steak House in Mt. Pleasant, Riverbend Pizza & Steak in Keosauqua, Road Runner Pizza & Steak in Winfield, Brighton Café and Thunderbird in Eldon.  In the 90’s he stock car raced.  From 2000-2008 they had a food trailer and went to motorcycle rallies.   He liked to spend time outside working in the garden and fishing.  Russell was very good at wood working and wood carving.  He made many scrolls saw clocks.  He loved to travel and looked forward to going south for the winter.

Russell will be missed by his lifelong partner, Danny Campbell, one sister, Irene Crow of Fairfield, IA; many nieces & nephews, Nikki (Ed) Bruegge, Ronny (Peggy) Crow and Janice Spearman; great niece & nephew, Daren (Billie Jo) Bruegge and Tammy Bruegge; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Mirthel Bjork; his sister, Frances and James Stewart; brother-in-law, Adrian Crow; great niece, Teresa Bruegge.