Fitzgerald, Russell Wayne 1930 - 2018
FITZGERALD, BARRETT, CORNWELL, ELDER, FREESE, SULLIVAN, CEDENO, ROMESBURG, CARROLL, KUENNEN
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/1/2018 at 11:53:36
Russell Wayne Fitzgerald, 88, of Lime Springs, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home with his loving wife by his side on Saturday March 24, 2018.
He was born January 4, 1930 outside of Lime Springs, Iowa to Frank and Frances (Barrett) Fitzgerald. He, his sister Vivan, and his parents moved when he was 11 years old, to 5198 Saint Avenue, which became the families three generation farm.
Russell attended Bonair Country School and helped out on the family farm year-round. Russell served his country in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean Conflict, and was Honorably Discharged with the ranking of Corporal. Russell met Therma Marie Cornwell at the Terp Ballroom in Austin, MN and continued their love of dancing for many years. They were united in marriage on September 22, 1961 in Dexter, Minnesota at the Methodist church. This union was blessed with four children; Sheila, Sharlene, Alyssan, and Ronald. The family attended the Bonair United Methodist Church until it closed in 1987, and then joined the Zion United Methodist Congregation.
Russell had a lifelong love of farming, dancing to old time music, and playing cards. He enjoyed the company of family, friends, his 9 grandchildren, and his 3 great grandchildren. Russell and Therma spent their 56 years together doing what they loved most, traveling the world. The duo traveled to Germany, Holland, Ecuador, and Ireland, along with their annual trips to the Amana Colonies and Branson, MO. Russell also had the opportunity to travel on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C in September, 2015. Russell spent many of his days at home restoring his 1959 Chevy Impala which Therma and him began their courtship in. He continued through his life attending his grandchildren’s events and being their biggest supporter. He enjoyed woodworking. He often made rocking chairs for his grandchildren and crosses for many. Russell was also a board member for the Howard County Mutual Insurance for 39 years.
He is survived by the love of his life, Therma, his sister, Vivan Grace Elder, his children, Sheila (Steve) Freese of Grundy Center, IA, Sharlene Sullivan of Ames, IA, Alyssan (Chris) Romesburg of Bondurant, IA, and Ron (Tina) Fitzgerald of Lime Springs, IA, and son (foreign exchange student, 1987-1988) Roberto Cedeno of Quito, Equaor{sic}. He is also survived by his grandchildren Evan (Emily) Freese, Bryan Freese, Erik (Kaitlynn) Freese, Mikayla Sullivan, Clayton Sullivan, Devon Carroll, Laine Fitzgerald, Madison Fitzgerald, Alivia Romesburg, and Sofia Romesburg; in addition to his great grandchildren Bentley, Kaylor, and Axel Freese.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Frances Fitzgerald, brother in law Allen Elder, nephew Raymond Elder, Father and Mother in law Donald and Julia Cornwell, and son in law Ronald Kuennen.
Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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