Russell D. EssnerIthaca, NYRussell Dean Essner of Ithaca, NY passed away on February 11, 2017. Russell was born on December 5, 1968 to Jerome William Essner and Betty Lou Williams in Los Angeles, CA. Russell grew up in West Des Moines, IA and attended Valley High School before moving to the Twin Cities for college. He obtained his Bachelors degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and his Masters degree in Aquatic Ecology from the University of Minnesota, Bemidji. Russell returned to Iowa and worked at Pioneer Hybrid where he met his wife Elizabeth Jones. He is survived by Elizabeth and their children Lauren Essner and Samuel Essner of Ithaca, New York and his daughter Sofia Burns of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Russell was a loving husband and caring father to his children. He had a great intellect, witty sense of humor that would make everyone laugh and loved spending time in the outdoors camping, hunting and fishing with his family and friends. Russell will be remembered as a great friend by everyone he met along his journeys in Iowa, Minnesota, and North Carolina. He will be greatly missed by his wife and family, father Jerry, sisters Susan, Janet, Judy, twin sister Jill, and brother Jeff. A burial of his ashes will occur on February 21, 2017 at Calvary Cemetery in Churchville at 12:30 pm, followed by a memorial get together at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden from 2 to 5 pm. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to Russ's children's education: go to ugift529.com and use code B2P-D4H for Lauren or T06-G6H for Samuel. Please email jeffrey.essner@gmail.com for contributions to Sofia's education.