Claire Russell (1922-2022)

RUSSELL, CONLIN, GASKILL, RUSSELLSWEANEY, CALDWELL

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/13/2022 at 17:58:30

Claire Mae Russell, 100, of Emery Place, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Services: 10 a.m., Thursday, at St. Jude Catholic Church by Rev. Mark Murphy. Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery. A Vigil service will be held Wednesday at 4 p.m., at Teahen Funeral Home where friends may visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. and again after 9 a.m. on Thursday at the church.

Claire is survived by her eight children Lynne (Jim) Conlin of Cascade, Susan (Wayne) Gaskill of Cedar Rapids, Tom Russell of Dallas, TX, Ron (Doris) Russell of Cedar Rapids, Jane (Dennis) Sweaney of Athens, GA, Jill (Gary) Caldwell of Hiawatha, Jon (Vicki) Russell and Mark (Kelly) Russell all of Cedar Rapids; twenty-two grandchildren; thirty-eight great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her husband, Bernard and three brothers, Jim, Bob and Bill precedes Claire in death.

Claire was born March 15, 1921 in Dubuque the daughter of Ervin and Rosina Grobstich Taylor. Claire graduated from Wilson High School in 1939 and married Bernard Russell on June 9, 1941 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City. Claire was a homemaker for her family and also worked for Mercy Hospital as a housekeeper in the emergency room, and at Jefferson High School in the cafeteria.

Claire loved to bake, and was a part of her neighborhood group called the Hobby Club, where the members would enjoyed getting together to do multiple craft projects. Claire and Bernard enjoyed traveling with their family and friends and visiting with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. She liked decorating her home, square dancing with her husband, bowling, fishing, big band music and playing cards.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Hospice House of Mercy.