Russell Dean Blue

Russell Blue, of Granite Falls, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on Thursday, July 30, 2026, following an eight-month battle with congestive heart failure at the age of 71.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Granite Falls.

Visitation will be held from 2:30 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home on Tuesday.

The service will be recorded and available for viewing on Russell's obituary page the following day.

Russell Dean Blue was born August 18th, 1954 in Granite Falls, Minnesota to Dean and Helen (Sites) Blue. As the second child, following his sister, Linda, he soon became big brother to sister, Cindy. After the loss of their mother, Helen, his family eventually grew again when his father married Betty and he gained two sisters, Liz and Jenny. Betty and Dean welcomed their daughter, Helen, solidifying his role as Prince Russ, the only boy with five sisters. Eventually Dean went on to marry Pat.

Russ lived in several states before landing in Arizona and meeting Vicki. In 1990, Russ and Vicki moved to Granite Falls. Following that move, Firefly Creek Casino was built through the efforts of Russ, Dean, and others. In 1994, Russ and Vicki married in her hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania. With this union came two children, Brooke and Jedd.

After starting a family, Russ decided to continue his education and go into law enforcement. He eventually became the first Native American Chief of Police in Minnesota. After seventeen years of service, he retired due to health issues.

Russ enjoyed golfing, fishing, riding his Harley, and watching various (ALL) sports. Something that was special to Russ was poker nights with his family, late night cribbage with Vic, and buck with their friends. Cornhole is a staple in the Blue household. There were many evenings Russ and Vic would throw bags with a cocktail in hand, while listening to classic rock. Though these hobbies brought him great joy, his true passion was playing pool. Along with his many trophies and awards, none he was more proud of than his two VNEA World Championship trophies – The Charlie.

The highlight of his life was having the privilege of watching his kids grow up, get married, and create their own families. He got to walk his daughter, Brooke, down the aisle and be there to support her through the loss of her husband, Tristan.

When Jedd welcomed his daughter, Meadow, Russ’s new title became Pops. A few years later he got to watch Jedd marry Melina following the birth of their daughter, Eliza.

Russ is survived by his wife, Vicki; daughter, Brooke; son, Jedd (Melina); granddaughters, forever in his heart: Meadow and Eliza; sisters: Linda, Cindy, Liz (Dan), Jenny (Ron), Helen (Frank); his godson, Tremayne; along with Vicki’s siblings and many beloved nieces and nephews, too numerous to name.

Russ is preceded in death by his mother, Helen (Sites) Blue; father, Dean Blue; stepmom, Betty Blue; son in law, Tristan Schmitz; mother and father-in-law, Bill and Eleanor Peltz; brother-in-law, Doak Cobenais; and brother-in-law, Doug Boehrer.

Though Russ is no longer with us, his love, his memory and most of all his laugh will remain forever in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. The family will designate a charity to receive the memorials at a later date.

Arrangements are with Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home of Granite Falls. www.andersontebeest.com