Russell Aiken

Earl Russell Aiken, 88, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026, at Benefis in Great Falls following a short illness.

The memorial service to celebrate Russell’s life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Valier United Methodist Church.

Russell was born on March 8, 1938, in Conrad, Montana to Earl Robert and Fern (Stokes) Aiken. He joined his sister JoAnn on the family farm in Valier. In high school, he loved playing football and basketball. He graduated from Valier in 1956.

Russell built his life as a farmer and rancher. His love for the crops and cows sustained him for many years. Russell married Doreen (Gossard) and they had three children Cindy, Earl Randy, and Cole. They divorced and Russell kept farming and later met Corinne (Ogden) who was working in Great Falls. They married and settled on the farm West of Valier where Stacey and Loren were born. Later they relocated to a farm on the East side of Valier where they lived for more than fifty years.

Russell and Corinne were rarely seen without the other one by their side. Their lifelong commitment to each other was evident to everyone who knew them. The couple enjoyed square dancing and spent many nights and weekends traveling and dancing to their favorite callers. Russell had a passion for horses that was evident in the hours he spent working with 4-H children as the horse leader and traveling to various shows and backcountry trips. Russ loved being a dad so many days you would find one of the children tagging along with him. The farm equipment paused as he was found in the stands supporting the kids at their activities. He even sported a black eye at one event that he told everyone his daughter had given him. In all honesty, it was the wrench that fell while he was working above his head.

Russell enjoyed being a grandpa and spent as much time as possible with Chelsea, Rebecca, Rory, Valerie, Brittney, Dustin, Justin, and DeLaney. Every minute he got to spend with them was a treasure and he talked about those times until his departure from this earth.

He loved knowing his great-grandchildren Bryleigh, Chayse, Collsea, Ellie, Olive, Russell, Emery, Jayden, Stetson, and Oakley and watching them grow. His conversations centered around these special children during the last years of his life. Telling stories of what they were up to was what you learned when visiting with Russ and Corinne.

Russell is preceded in death by his son Earl Randy; first wife Doreen; brother-in-law Trevor Mangold; and his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Corinne Aiken; his children and their spouses, Cindy and Gary Sunford of Turner; Cole Aiken of Valier; Stacey and Glenn Steele of Valier; Loren and Christine Aiken of Valier, and Randy’s surviving wife Bella Riewaldt of Billings; his sister JoAnn Mangold; grandchildren, Chelsea (Collin) Erb, Rebecca Aiken, Earl Rory Aiken, Valerie (Curt) Swets, Brittney (Duane) Schwahn, Dustin (Kaysie) Steele, Justin (Alyssa) Aiken, and DeLaney (Hayden) Aiken Sanders; and great-grandchildren Bryleigh Erb, Chayse Erb, Collsea Erb, Ellie Aiken, Olive Aiken, Russell Swets, Emery Steele, Jayden Aiken, Stetson Aiken, and Oakley Sanders.

Russell will be remembered for his love for his family and the joy and laughter he brought to those around him.