Russell And Mary Lou Giddings

Funeral services for Russell and Mary Lou Giddings of rural Humboldt will be 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Trinity Lutheran Church near Rutland. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Humboldt with full military honors for Russell by Adams American Legion Post 119 and Sathers-Odgaard VFW Post 5240.
Mr. and Mrs. Giddings are survived by their children, Robin (Greg) Beckley of Barnum and Mark (Jodi) Giddings of Humboldt; daughter-in-law, Catherine Giddings of Humboldt; grandchildren, Chad (Kristan) Giddings of Fort Dodge, Seth (Cydney) Giddings of Cedar Rapids, Amber Beckley of West Des Moines, Sarah Giddings of Humboldt, and Bryan Beckley of Manson; great grandchildren, Ashton Giddings, Braylin Giddings, and Lyla Giddings; Russell’s brother, Durwood “Doc” (Sharon) Giddings of Humboldt; and Mary Lou’s sister, Linda (Leo) Grebner of Humboldt. They were preceded in death by their parents; their son, Paul “Motor” Giddings; their infant daughter, Christine; their granddaughter, Shadlee Giddings; and Mary Lou’s brothers, Donald and Roger Andrews.
Russell Burtrem Giddings, Jr., the son of Russell and Irene (Hanson) Giddings, was born March 13, 1929 at Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a child, he moved with his parents to the family farm in Humboldt County. He attended Airline Country School and graduated from Livermore High School. Following his education, Russell enlisted into the United States Army, serving in Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and went to work for Humboldt County.
Mary Lou Andrews, the daughter of Estel and Christina (Pedersen) Andrews, was born November 29, 1930 on her grandmother’s farm near Ottosen. She too attended country schools and graduated from Livermore High School. She then attended the American Academy of Beauty in Des Moines and returned home to practice cosmetology in Humboldt.
The couple was united in marriage on March 24, 1951 at the Trinity Lutheran Church near Rutland. They made their home in Humboldt for a time where Mary Lou worked as a hairdresser and as a waitress at the Eateria. The couple made their home on the family farm north of Humboldt where they farmed together for many years.
They were faithful active members of Trinity Lutheran Church where Russ served as Usher and caretaker of the church and Mary Lou was active in circle and served as Sunday School Superintendent for many years. An accomplished seamstress, she enjoyed quilting for the Lutheran Camp at Okoboji and making clothes for her children and will be remembered as a fantastic cook. She loved country music, professional wrestling, and the Minnesota Twins, a vacation usually consisted of a one-day trip to Metropolitan Stadium for a Twins game. Russell was proud of the care he gave to the church property and was happiest when he was working.