Russell Bott

Jan. 8, 1945 – Feb. 6, 2026

Donnybrook

Russell Lee Bott, 81, rural Donnybrook, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at a Minot hospital.

He was born Jan. 8, 1945, in Minot, to Arthur and Edna (Grabow) Bott. He was raised on the original family homestead until the age of four. At that time, the family moved to the Grabow farm in Carbondale Township, Ward County, near Aurelia, where Russell spent the rest of his life.

He attended school in Donnybrook and graduated from Donnybrook High School in 1963. He attended two years at Minot State College, then joined the Army Reserves and proudly served for six years.

Russell married the love of his life, Marilyn (Boyd) Lawson in 1992. A lifelong farmer and rancher, he enjoyed working the land and tending to his cows. He retired from farming in 2021.

Russell was a member of the Clarence McCormack American Legion Post #195, of Donnybrook, for over 50 years. He served as the chaplain of the group for many years. He enjoyed watching basketball games and later volleyball matches especially after his grandchildren started playing, and also rodeos because of his granddaughters’ participation. He loved to sing and sang in the church choir for many years.

Family: Wife of 33 years, Marilyn Bott; stepdaughters, Terri (Jim) Brown and Gerilyn (Todd) Bauer; grandchildren, Austin Brown, Allysa Brown, Codey Bauer and Ashley Bauer; sister, Ardis Johnson; nephew, Bryce Boughton; niece, Stacy (Myron) Bjornstad; great-nieces, Elliana and Rosalie Bjornstad, Shelly Martin, Michelle Cariveau and Sarah Berman; great-nephews, Griffin Bjornstad, James Foster and David Holland; aunts, Pearl Wright and Vicki Brown; brother-in-law, Lynn Couter; step-nephews, Ron (Christine) Johnson and Rick Johnson; step great-nephew, Andrew (Emma) Johnson; and numerous cousins.

Russell was preceded in death by: Parents, Arthur and Edna Bott; father- and mother-in-law, Jim “E.J.” and Dollie Boyd; sisters-in-law, Carole Holland, Elaine Foster and Kathleen Couter; brother-in-law, Dallas Johnson.

Funeral: 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot.

Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, rural Minot.

Sharing of Memories service (Open to the public): 11 a.m., Friday, at the church.

Visitation: One hour prior to the sharing service and the funeral service, at the church. Friends may also sign the online guestbook at brosefuneralhome.com.

Memorials: Memorials preferred to the Clarence McCormack American Legion Post #195, of Donnybrook.

(Brose Funeral Home, Mohall)

Published by The Minot Daily News, February 11, 2026.