Kathryn Russell

Kathryn R. Russell, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Sunday, October 25, 2009, at the Henry County Health Center. According to her wishes Mrs. Russell has been cremated. There will be no formal services at this time. The Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant is assisting the family. Memorials have been established in Mrs. Russell's honor and can be left at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, 709 Mapleleaf Drive, P.O. Box 656, Mt. Pleasant, IA, during normal business hours this week. The daughter of Benjamin and Pansy (Brown) Richards, Kathryn Roberta was born on May 29, 1927, in Ottumwa, IA. She received her education in the Ottumwa area. Kathryn moved to Mt. Pleasant in the early seventies. "Kate" worked at Heatilator and later at the Mapleleaf Nursing Home. She was also a full time homemaker and kept busy raising an active family. As her family grew, she enjoyed spending time with her grown children and grandchildren. She was especially fond of two family pets, her dog, Lucy, and her cat, Fat Boy. Kate spent many hours in her kitchen and was an excellent baker. Mrs. Russell is survived by three daughters, Susan (Ricky) Smith of Eden, NC, Cheryl (Dan) Fraise of West Point, IA, Helen Wiele of Mt. Pleasant, IA; four sons, Richard Russell, Jr. and Wayne Russell both of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Terry (Cindy) French of Hillsboro, IA, and Richard (Linda) French of Sacramento, CA; fifteen grandchildren and thirty-six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Bev Howe and Jewel Mitchell, both of Ottumwa, IA. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Tom Richards, Ray Richards, Bobby Richards and Johnny Richards, and by one sister, Thelma Shaver.