Obituary of Thelma Elizabeth Russell

Thelma Elizabeth Russell, 91, passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 19, 2011, at Newton Health Care. Funeral services for Thelma will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Pence~Reese Funeral Home in Newton, who have been entrusted with the arrangements. A visitation with the family will be held 10 a.m. until service time on Saturday, at the funeral home. In LIEU of flowers memorials in Thelma's name are being designated or to Immanuel Baptist Church. Burial will be in the Newton Union Cemetery. Thelma, the daughter of Alva Stevens and Eva Thelma Ryle, was born December 12, 1919, in Bidwell, Iowa. She graduated from the Colfax High School, Class of 1937. On August 29, 1938, Thelma was united in marriage with Francis R. Russell in Unionville, Missouri. She was employed as a secretary at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School eighteen years, as a secretary/bookkeeper at Vernon's Company for five years, Montgomery Ward for two years and J.C. Penney's for five years. Thelma devoted her life to her family, and was a member of the Newton Booster Club, P.T.A. and Immanuel Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school 43 years, was the church clerk, sang in the choir and was president of Ladies Ministry. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Francis on November 8, 1997; a great-great grandson Isaac; two sisters: Helen Louise and Edith Lucille; and a brother Ronald Alva Stevens. Those left to honor Thelma's memory include her son Richard A. Russell of Hamilton, MT; her daughter LaRita Jane (Leo) Stockton of Waukee, IA; four grandchildren: Tim, Julie, Scott and Lynnette; seven great-grandchildren: Calib, Jared, Leslie, Michael, Rathel, Lacey, and Jacob; her sister Dorothy Irene Shepley of Mt. Vernon, IA; and her many friends.