Helen A. Russell (1921-2010)

RUSSELL, BEKKUM, SHAW, LUXTON, SHELTON

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 2/1/2010 at 09:59:27

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, January 27, 2010.

Helen A. Russell, 88, died of cancer Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, in Ames. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at Collegiate United Methodist Church on Lincoln Way in Ames, with visitation one hour prior to the service. A reception will follow the service at the church.

Helen was born July 20, 1921, in Westby, Wis., the daughter of Alfred and Huldah Bekkum. She was the first of four children and is survived by one brother, Owen Bekkum, of Madison, Wis., and one sister, Annette Shaw, of Westby, Wis. Another brother, Rolf Bekkum, preceded her in death.

Helen attended Kletzing College in University Park, where she met her husband of 66 years, the Rev. Raymond L. Russell, who currently resides at Northcrest Retirement Center in Ames. She was an elementary-grades teacher in various school systems in Iowa during her career. She was the mother of three children, Sheryll Luxton (John), of Davenport, Barbara Shelton (John), of Wheaton, Ill., and Alan Russell (Laurel), of Ames. She had five grandchildren, John and James Luxton, and Jeffrey, Kristen and Mark Russell; and three great-grandchildren.

She was an avid reader, lover of music, devoted member of her church, volunteer in service activities and world traveler. She will be remembered by her friends and family as an engaging “people person” who dearly loved family dinners, social clubs and conversation with her friends. She tended to leave smiles and positive feelings in her wake wherever she went. She was proud of her leadership in Christian education and other church activities at the various churches she and Raymond served during his nearly five decades of service in the Iowa United Methodist Conference. She was a member of the Ames Woman’s Club and several church circles at Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames.

She was a lifelong pacifist who argued strongly against American military actions in Vietnam and Iraq and was an advocate of redirecting funding away from military expenditures to social justice initiatives. More than one acquaintance has been startled to find that this seemingly mild, petite lady could be such a forceful advocate for these causes.

She will be especially remembered for her delightful sense of humor and her extraordinary caramel pecan rolls and Norwegian strull.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Collegiate United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or United Methodist Committee on Relief.

Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.

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