Russell K. DeVerniero, age 69, passed away on January 23, 2019 in Mount Vernon, WA after a short and brave battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Russ was born in Billings, MT on April 3rd, 1949 to Emmanuel (Dee) and Lois DeVerniero.
He grew up in Billings surrounded by his cousins Deedie, Linda, Jim and Paul. When he was 12 years old he was adopted into the Woodenlegs family of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.
Russ graduated from Billings Senior High in 1967 and served in the US Marine Corps. Upon his return from Vietnam he married his first wife Cynthia Klimper (Hein) they would have 3 children Cathy, Tina and John. He became a Deputy Sheriff for Yellowstone County and started the first K9 unit for the county.
The horrors of the war never really left him and in 1979 he left the Sheriff’s office to pursue a gentler calling. He obtained his degree in Fine Arts from Eastern Montana College (MSU-B) with the help of the GI Bill and became a full-time artist.
In 1986 he moved to Seattle where he would meet the woman who would become instrumental in his life, Donna. They married on January 22, 1994. They moved to Coeur d’Alene, ID in 2002. He made many lifelong friends in Coeur d’ Alene and he and Donna enjoyed a rich social life.
Russ was able to spend the last few years traveling with Donna in their RV exploring the United States. In 2018 he and Donna travelled to the Washington DC area for a Marine Corp Reunion honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Bridge 28.
Russ is survived by his beloved wife Donna, daughters Cathy (John) Swan, Tina (Tim) Meyer and son John (Belinda) DeVerniero. 9 grandchildren Samantha (Tim) Downey, Amanda DeVerniero, Jacob (Tiara) Swan, Natasha Andreozzi, Victoria DeVerniero, Nic Meyer, Jenna Meyer, Lucca DeVerniero and Serafina DeVerniero and 3 great grandchildren Theodore, Cullen and Genesis. He was preceded in death by his parents Emmanuel and Lois DeVerniero and grandson Rocco DeVerniero.
A memorial to celebrate the life of Russ will be held on Saturday, June 15 at the VFW in Billings 637 Anchor Street at 2 pm. We will have a potluck afterwards so please bring your favorite dish.
For the full obituary, to see photos and to leave memories visit https://www.forevermissed.com/russell-k-deverniero/#about.
