Obituary of Ella Christina RUSSELL

Thursday, May 23, 2013, Ella Christina Russell, retired resident of Swift Current, and long-time farmer and homemaker in the Bateman area, passed away in the Prairie Pioneers Lodge, Swift Current, at the age of 89. Ella, daughter of Frank and Caroline Silzer of Melaval, was born January 5, 1924. She grew up as the eldest and right-hand-man to her Dad on the farm, and loved to play ball and dance in her spare time. On October 21, 1947, Ella married Clayton Russell and they started farming near Bateman two years later. They soon made many friends and the Bateman area became their home for over forty years. They were mixed farmers, and Ella loved her garden and her flowers. She had a heart of gold and was always ready to help, spending countless hours sewing carnival costumes, working in the rink kitchen and helping with community events. But Clayton and their four children and later the grandchildren were the focus of her life. Family came first. Ella was known for her outgoing nature and her outstanding ability as a cook and a hostess. Ella and Clayton retired to Swift Current in 1992 and enjoyed their years there making new friends and watching their grandchildren become adults and start families of their own. A car accident in October 2007 forced them to move to Moose Jaw for health reasons. Clayton passed away in January 2009. Ella has been in the Prairie Pioneers Lodge since September 2010, and the family will be forever grateful for her outstanding care there. Ella was predeceased by her parents Frank and Caroline Silzer, Clayton’s parents, Harry and Mamie Russell, one great-grandson Nicholas Russell, her brother Larry and her sisters Hilda and Verna, a sister-in-law Eleanor Tallon, brothers-in-law Lloyd Rowe, Elwyn Parry, Steve Hysuick, Ray Morin, Orville Tallon, and Dale Baker, and one nephew Colin Anderson. She is survived by one daughter Brenda (Wayne) Allen of Bateman, and three sons Patrick (Cheryl) Russell of Hodgeville, Murray (Karen) Russell of Glenbain, and Dean (Karry) Russell of Bateman. Also ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren: Brenda’s family – Jodey and Lisa and their children Josh, Addison and Cole of Swift Current, Avery and Ashley and their children Bates and Julie of Hodgeville, and Bonnie of Regina; Pat’s family – Trevor and Amy and their son Ryder of Swift Current, and Kylea and her fiancé Roland of Shaunavon; Murray’s family – Ryan and Mandy and their sons Lucas and Colter of Tisdale, Amy and Bryce Wright and their children Thomas and Carlee of Warman, and Curtis and Laura and their children Ty and Hadley of Katepwa; Dean’s family – Scott and Bretton of Denver, Colorado, and Darryl and Jennie of Swift Current. Also four sisters, Bertha Hysuick of Moose Jaw, Edna Rowe of Saskatoon, Laura (Bill) Anderson of Winnipeg and Clara Parry of Nanaimo and two sisters-in-law Doris Morin of Calgary and Marion Baker of Salem, Oregon, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held at First United Church, Swift Current, SK, on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Officiant was Reverend Sharon Ferguson-Hood. The eulogy was shared by Jodey Allen. Interment took place at the Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK, with the ten grandchildren as pallbearers. Donations in Ella’s memory will be gratefully accepted for either the Saskatchewan Heart and Stroke Association, 279 3rd Ave N, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8 or the Prairie Pioneers Lodge Auxiliary, 498 Steele Cres., Swift Current, SK S9H 4R2. Online condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels.ca. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Piche-Hawkins-Grondin Funeral Chapels, Assiniboia & Gravelbourg.