Russett, Helen M. (Horton) c1931 - 2017

RUSSETT, HORTON, SANDGREN, STEACY, BESTOR, SCHULTE, LEA, HENNESSY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:42

Helen M. Russett, 86, passed away Nov. 27, 2017. Visitation is at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, with a funeral service at 11a.m., at St Joan of Arc, 4537 3rd Ave. South, Minneapolis, Minn. Family interment will be in Calmar at a later date. Memorials are preferred to Cancer Research at Mayo Clinic at mayoclinic.org/development or mailed to Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

Helen was born to parents Dr. Vincent and Genevieve Horton at their family home in Calmar. Helen spoke with great pride about the town she grew up in. She would eventually be off for St. Paul to attend The College of St Catherine. She married Randal Russett in 1953. She took on the task of not only raising five children, but having a successful administrative career which ended with a well-deserved retirement in 1992, after 13 years with General Mills. Helen was also active in church, state and local politics, and many causes that needed her hand. Her participation with her kids’ schooling, band, sports, and outside activities was tireless. Helen and Randy retired to Florida for 19 years. A need to be closer to family, a desire to spend time at their lake place, and better health care, would see them return home to Minnesota for good in 2011. Helen was a wonderful mother and will be remembered by many for her willingness to take on any task at hand. She was selfless and kind. Concern and care for others’ needs were put before her own.

She is survived by husband, Randal; children: Maureen Sandgren, John (Peggy) Russett, Vincent Russett, Christopher Russett, Kathleen (Ron) Steacy; six grandchildren: John Ryan (Maggie) Russett, Cassandra (Nathan) Bestor, Christina (Andrew) Schulte, Thomas and John Russett, Richard Steacy; three great-grandchildren: Margaret Lea and Finnian Bestor, Lyra Mae Russett; sister, Mary Lu; brothers, Vincent and Robert; and many relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Ruth and Anne; infant son, Randal; and daughter-in-law, Ann Hennessy Russett.

Source: Decorah Newspapers Dec. 1, 2017