In Memory of Dorothy E. Russell

Karen (Villhauer) Michalec let us know today that Mike Russell’s mother Dorothy passed away. Mike gave us permission to post her obituary as a tribute to her life.

Dorothy E. Russell

Dorothy E. Russell, 93, lifetime resident of Iowa City, died Saturday, November 15, 2014, at the Lone Tree Health Care Center.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Thursday, November 20th at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City where visitation will take place from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be at Ridgewood Cemetery in North Liberty.

Dorothy Ellen Crossett was born April 20, 1921 in Iowa City; daughter of Ralph and Helen (Goody) Crossett. She graduated with the 1939 class from City High School and married Robert “Bob” Russell a few years later, on November 27, 1942.

While Bob served in the Army Air Corps they lived at different duty stations, but after his service returned to Iowa City, where they’ve lived since. Together they enjoyed time traveling, camping and being outdoors. She was a member of the Jonco Jills chapter of the Izaak Walton League and was an active life member as well as a past member of the Iowa City Camping Club.

Her family includes her children, Robin Walker and her husband, Thomas of Franklin, Ohio and Michael Russell and his significant other, Karen Michalec of Iowa City; grandchildren, Amber Russell of Vicksburg, MS, Jason Russell and his wife, Megan of Mt. Vernon and their daughter, Quinn and Shea Russell of Tiffin.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Bob in 2009; parents and siblings, Ed Crossett, Pauline Matthew and Betty Wienke.

Dorothy’s family would like to acknowledge the compassion and care shared with their mother and grandmother from the staff at the Lone Tree Health Care Center as well as those of Hospice Compassus, Thank You!