Edna Rosa (Peduzzi) Russell 1922-2012

PEDUZZI RUSSELL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/11/2012 at 19:26:38

Sioux City Journal
February 22, 2012

SIOUX CITY -- Edna Rosa (Peduzzi) Russell of Sioux City was welcomed to Eternal Life on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Gary Snyder officiating. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery, Merrill, Iowa. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 4 to 8 p.m., a Catholic Daughters of America rosary at 4 p.m. and a family rosary and vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Edna was born on Aug. 25,1922, in Craig, Iowa, to Americo John and Letizia Peduzzi. She graduated from Ireton (Iowa) High School in 1939 and moved with her parents to Merrill, where her father had been transferred. She attended Midwest Business College in Sioux City for two years, then worked for a transportation company for the next few years.

On June 25, 1946, she married Gene Russell at Assumption Catholic Church in Merrill. They lived on the family farm for three years before moving to South Sioux City, where they purchased the franchise for Culligan Soft Water. They later founded the Paddock Steakhouse before moving to Sioux City in 1964.

Edna was busy raising their six children while she supported Gene's career. She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church where she had been a Eucharist minister and a dedicated volunteer. She was active in Catholic Daughters of America (Court Ave Maria 269) and the Carmelite board, of which she was a past president. She volunteered at Mercy Medical Center and Queen of Peace. She was a past president of the Sioux City Women's Club, an election precinct worker for 35 years and had been a Brownie leader and Cub Scout den mother.

Edna will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Edna enjoyed many wonderful travels, especially trips to Europe. She was an avid bridge player, belonging to several bridge groups. She was very proud of her Italian heritage and instilled a great love for all things Italian in her family.

Edna was blessed with seven children and is survived by two sons, Tom (Kathryn) Russell and Greg (Lisa) Russell, both of Omaha; and four daughters, Mary (Tom) Fleming of Sioux City, Diane (Art Bruers) Russell of Minneapolis, Sandra (Bill) LaRue of New Orleans, La., Trish (David) Coriden of La Crosse, Wis., and Columbia, Mo.; Edna is also survived by her 13 grandchildren, Allison Douglas, Michele Freese, Lisa Babler, Stacy Schonrock, Amy Webb, Julie Doucet, Teresa Ritter, Lindsey Audino, Elise Russell, Joseph Russell, Brett Coriden, Paige Coriden, James Eugene Russell; and 12 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. Edna is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Carol Russell of Le Mars, Iowa, and Mary Peduzi of Huntington Beach, Calif.

Edna was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Gene, on April 8, 2011. She was also preceded in death by her baby daughter, Norma Jean Russell;, parents, John and Letizia Peduzzi; sister, Norma Peduzzi; and brothers, Lido Peduzzi and Robert Peduzi.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Michael's Endowment Fund or The Discalced Carmelite Nuns.

"Oh, Mamma Mia, we miss you!"