RUSSELL LEROY STANDLEY

RUSSELL LEROY STANDLEY

Russell Leroy Standley, 76, of Cooperstown, ND went to be with the lord on April 8, 2026. He was born on September 24, 1949 at Mercy Hospital in Valley City ND to Pastor Irving and Hannah (Lende) Standley. He attended local schools and graduated from Valley City High School in 1968. Shortly, thereafter, his parents drove him to Northern California where he stayed with his aunt and uncle while working various jobs.

In 1972, he returned to ND and worked for Tony’s Pizza for 13 years. During this time, he was blessed with three kids: Travis, Tanya, and Troy. His oldest son Travis was his little shadow riding with Russ on his Tony’s truck. He was known as “Little Tony”. Russ took great pride in this. He later moved the family back to California with an opportunity to own and run a family care home with Elena, the mother of his children, of whom he always said, “did a great job raising them.” Along side, working the care home, was Tammy, a longtime family friend. She was like a daughter to Russ.

After his divorce, he met and married Liz in 1993. All five children were an important part of the wedding. Together with Troy still at home and Liz’s kids; Russell and Jenny, they finished raising them. Travis and Tanya were grown. Daughter Tanya blessed Russ with his first grandchild Hector and later Anthony.

Russ was an avid golfer having been a captain of his golf team known as the “Chippers and Dippers”, in reference to his years with his company Frito-Lay and potato chips. He enjoyed golfing with his sons, daughter, grandkids, son-in-law, and numerous friends. His annual golf trip with his longtime best friend, Dan, was enjoying a week of golf and camping along the northern California coast and Oregon coast. He was especially close to his cousin, Mary Lou, as they golfed on occasion and he always said, “She was like a sister to me.”

After working for Frito-Lay for 26 ½ years, he retired. So together they sold their home in California and moved to ND and purchased an 11-acre farmstead near Cooperstown. They settled on the farmstead with their black lab, Diamond. Russ always wanted in retirement to own land. He and Liz had almost 13 years on their “little piece of paradise.” He enjoyed sitting with Liz on their little cement porch sipping coffee, watching nature, and wondering how long it would take them to mow the lawn.

Russ and Liz enjoyed attending Saron Church and listening to Pastor Kenneth’s lively sermons. If Russ fell asleep, Pastor Kenneth would just get a little louder and that usually woke him up.

A thank you to Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, for their wonderful care, HIA Hospice staff for their tender care, one special CNA, Theresa, who was so gentle, kind and attentive to Russ, and Dakota Regional Medical Center, Cooperstown for that final day of Russ’ life.

A big heartfelt thank you to all the cousins who visited, called, texted, brought food, flowers, cards and ran errands. A heart felt thank you, to Vern Lende (cousin) who ran the visiting kids and grandson from California all over the place, Doug Fogderud (cousin) who ran an errand from Jamestown to the Standley farm, a heartfelt thanks.

A heartfelt thank you to Tanya, Troy (his children) and Anthony (grandson) for coming and spending a week with Russ while he was in the hospital. This made their dad/grandfather very happy and proud. Cousins Tim and Deb Fogderud whose tremendous support and help, a big heart felt thank you. Cousins Tim and Becky Hagar for their tremendous support and help, a big heartful thank you. Second cousin Pastor Kenneth Curtis who came and sat and visited with Russ while Liz could run errands, a big heart felt thank you. Martin Ueland who came day or night to help Liz with Russ, a big heart felt thank you. He also enjoyed Martin visiting from time to time. Russ enjoyed these visits. Kyle, the mailman, who would stop by daily visiting with Russ. Russ enjoyed these visits , a big heartfelt thank you. Thank you to everyone who helped Russ and Liz during his last days on the farmstead.

Russ leaves behind his wife, Liz Standley, daughter Tanya Lyons (Stacey); son, Troy Standley, stepson, Russell Dorvall (Desiree); Stepdaughter, Jennifer Dorvall (Cris), Grandson, Hector Godoy, (Jeannie), Grandsons, Anthony Jackson, Step grandsons; Jerome Lyons, Tobias Dorantes, Jackson Dorvall, Ryker Dorvall, Step granddaughter, Hollis Dorvall and soon-to-be great-grandson, Grayson Godoy.

He is preceded in death by parents, Paster Irvin and Hannah Standley, brother, Irving Standley and son, Travis Standley.

A special thank you to Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home, Cooperstown, ND

A celebration of life with be held on May 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Saron Church, 11571 County Road 22, Cooperstown, ND 58425. A lunch following will be at the church. Coffee and Dessert to be at Cousin’s Tim and Deb Fogderud’s farm, the old home place, 771 112th Ave SE, Hannaford ND 58448.