Marilyn Russell

Jan. 23, 1938-

Jan. 16, 2021

MARSHALL– Marilyn Rita (Josephson) Russell was born on January 23, 1938, in the farm home of her paternal grandparents in Westerheim Township, to Adalbjorn (Abo) and Clarice (Christianson) Josephson. She was the only girl in a family of four children, and was sometimes picked on by the brothers!

She attended rural school in District 75 of Yellow Medicine County and then the elementary and high schools of Minneota. She attended Augustana College and graduated with a degree in Science Education. She taught in schools on Chicago’s South Side, and in Columbia, South Carolina, for 31 years.

Marilyn learned to cook from her mother. When she was a toddler, a bit of the bread dough prepared on a weekly basis was saved for her and proudly baked for the family to see! In 4H Club, Marilyn won prizes for her projects, appearing at the state fair with a bread baking demonstration. Marilyn also was an avid collector of owls and knew when and where she had acquired each one. She enjoyed gardening, bowling, and caring for the iris previously planted by her mother that would appear in several flower beds each spring.

Marilyn was married to Booker T. (Russ) Russell on July 18, 1970, whom she met when he was visiting her school as a photographer, taking photos of students in the elementary and high schools near Chicago. They later moved to South Carolina. When Marilyn retired from teaching, she and Russ moved to Minneota shortly after the death of her mother, and lived in the home of her parents. While in Minneota, Marilyn worked for Schott Corporation and at Firefly Creek and Prairie’s Edge casinos in Granite Falls. After Russ’ death in 2016 and due to declining health and failing vision, Marilyn moved to Madison Avenue Apartments in Minneota, where she lived with her adopted rescue cat, Chicago White Sox.

At the time of her death, Marilyn was a member of Minneota American Legion Auxiliary Unit 199, where she served as an officer for many years. She was also a member of Hope Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and confirmed.

Marilyn died at age 82 on January 16, 2021, at the Lockwood House, under the care of Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall. She battled breathing issues relating to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for several years, the same disease that took Russ’ life. Although she had no children of her own, Marilyn was happy to have been stepmother to Russ’ children, Gina Williams, Gregory (Sara) Russell, and Audie “Skip” Russell, as well as a step-grandmother to several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by many friends and relatives throughout the country who loved her dearly and often referred to her as “Aunt Marilyn”.

Marilyn is survived by her brothers, Allan and Charles. She is also survived by nieces Sandy Josephson, Dona (Steve) Rehome, Merry (Dave) Berkelo, Ann (Troy) Hanson, and nephew Doug (Kim) Josephson and their families. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by her brother, Les, sisters-in-law Marlene, Joan, and Donna, and nephews Paul and Ken.

Due to COVID restrictions, a time of remembrance will be held at a later date at Hope Lutheran Church, with burial in the church cemetery. In Marilyn’s memory, her family requests that donations be given to Minneota American Legion Auxiliary Unit 199, The Society for the Preservation of Minneota’s Heritage (SPMH), Hope Lutheran Church, or to the donor’s choice.

Arrangements by

Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association

Echo, MN