"Nancy and I were best friends in grade school and 2 years of high school at Hays High in Muscatine. We kept in touch by phone all these years. I think we talked on the phone in Sept or Oct but have not been able to reach her. So sorry for your loss. My name was Mary Blake and I loved Nancy dearly. We has so much fun together dancing at teen town at the YWCA and eating Maid Rites after or going to Lous Ice Cream Parlor for Sundaes."
In loving memory of
Nancy Russell
August 25, 1941 - November 22, 2017
NANCY RUSSELL
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Nancy Russell, 76, of Muscatine, passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.
Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at the VFW on 1415 Grand Avenue in Muscatine. Burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery at a later date. Memorials can be made to the family, in care of, Greg Russell. The family would like to give special thanks to the Grandview Fire Department, First Responders, Unity Emergency Room, and Mercy ICU staff. Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com
Nancy was born on August 25, 1941 in Muscatine, the daughter of Virgil and Della Hopewell Manley. She married Dave Russell on September 22, 1962, in Aledo, Illinois. He preceded her in death in 1988.
Nancy lived in the home she and Dave built, near Grandview, since the early 70's. She was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed spending time with her family.
Nancy had many different jobs and great friends. She was a Hawkeye fanatic and enjoyed going to games and spending time with friend Bonnie Link. Mom danced, walked in the Bix, and enjoyed going on trips to Branson with her neighbor and friend Bev Weber. She really missed Joyce Noah, who had passed on years earlier. Over the years there were happy times spent at
the cabin on the Iowa River, summer fish fry's and Thanksgiving with her Hopewell relatives. For a number of years our family would get together, with neighbors, to make a float for the 4th of July parade. Mom was very artistic. She canned, crocheted, loved gardening, and arrow head hunting. She was very excited one day when she thought she found broken Indian Pottery in the
garden. She was telling everyone about it but found out later that Don Noah had purposely spread pieces of a broken clay pot as a joke - good times! Nancy loved animals and her pets. She let her kids raise just about every kind of animal there was roaming around inside and outside.
She will be deeply missed by her children, David Russell III, of Muscatine, Wendy O'Toole and husband, Sean, of Missouri, and Gregory Russell and wife, Sherry, of Wapello; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother, Barry; and three sisters, Ressa, Jennifer, and Carla.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Keith; and a daughter, Holly, in 2011.
Tributes
"I worked with Nancy at Wapello P&P. Nancy was the manager. A very nice lady to work with and for. You couldn't ask for a better boss. My Deepest sympathy to her family and friends."
"Hello Guys, Really miss you all. Very sad to hear about Mom. Loved her deeply. I hope everything goes well, and she will be remembered forever. If anyone needs anything please let me know. Please keep in touch. Love you all."
"Dear David, Greg, and Wendy, I was so sorry to hear about Nancy's passing. We haven't seen each other in years but I will cherish sweet memories from our younger days. I always enjoyed visiting her during summers or holidays at Grandma Hopewells and then later at her home when you all were younger. My thoughts and prayers are with your families at this time."
"Made friends with her when she worked at P&P or Kum and go in wapello. Had many coffee nights after midnight Keeping her awake . Also enjoyed 2 seasons of iowa Hawkeye men's basketball with her. I learned after letting her drive to one game, not to do that again. Just let her ride. I have missed her company the last few years."
"So many good memories but one night we went to the Mark for a Rodeo n after that Nancy said "let's stop by the President for awhile". So we're playing the dime machines n boy were they paying out good, I looked at my watch an it was 5:30 in the morning and we got to laughing like a couple of idiots and could hardly walk out of there but we did take $67 dollars in dimes with us. We used it to take Rick out for supper so he wouldn't kill us!!! Will miss you but have tons of memories, RIP Nancy."
"We enjoyed enjoyed spending time with your family on Christmas Eve and other fun times. You will be greatly missed. Marlene & family."
"I am so sorry to learn of Nancy's passing. I always loved her smile. It was so welcoming and friendly. She was an easy person to like. I recall times when she would be attending things at school that her children were in and would always be supportive of our efforts as coaches and teachers. That was always very much appreciated. Hugs and prayers to all the family. "
"Dear Greg and family. I am so sorry for your loss. She sounded like a wonderful woman. My prayers are with you all who lost this precious lady."
"I will always remember a pretty smile on your face at all times Aunt Nancy. Thoughts and prayers to you and family. "