"Brad and Randy, My heart goes out to you. Your mom was such a good friend to my mom, Hattie. I always enjoyed visiting with your mom. May you take solace in knowing she is together with your dad and at peace. Barbie Stevens"
In loving memory of
Ingrid Russell
May 28, 1927 - January 5, 2018
MADISON - Ingrid Russell died on January 5, 2018. She was born on May 28, 1927, in Chicago Illinois, the daughter of Frank and Astrid (Hägglund) Vodicka. She grew up in Des Plaines, IL and went to school at the University of Illinois where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. On February 1, 1948, she married the love of her life and best friend, Marv Russell. She enjoyed her life as a "housewife" and mother to Randy and Brad. She was actively involved in serving her community with the League of Women Voters (Minneapolis), as Cub Scout den mother (Hartford, WI) and president of the PTA (Hartford and Madison). She played lots of duplicate bridge, most frequently as Marv's partner, and attained the rank of Life Master. In retirement, she spent countless hours gardening and canning vegetables with Marv and doing some world traveling by signing on to various Elderhostel tours. After her sons left home, Ingrid found a "career" - she was a docent at the Elvehjem (Chazen) Museum of Art for over 20 years. She loved this work and her fellow docents, often taking a leadership role in developing programs under the auspices of curator Anne Lambert. To the end, she continued feeding her mind and spirit with frequent visits to Wikipedia and, more formally, through a very active enrollment in a study group featuring The Great Courses where her courses included: music, religion, astrophysics, and neurosciences. She also was an avid reader, compiling an extensive and eclectic list of books; starting her list at age 76, she read 255 books that included authors such as Richard Feynman, Thomas Friedman, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Deepak Chopra, Jonah Lehrer and all the works of Louise Penny.
Ingrid is survived by her sons Randolph (Donna Lively Clark) and Bradley (Jayme Ierna), her grandchildren Samuel, Rebecca and Hannah, and her sister-in-laws, Karen Schmidt, MD and Gail Russell. She was preceded in death by her husband Marvin, on Veteran's Day in 2004, her sister, Dagmar Green and her brother, Tom Vodicka.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Please share your memories at www.CressFuneralService.com
Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Rd, Madison
608-238-3434
Tributes
"Ingrid always had a friendly smile, a kind word, and always helpful. It was a great pleasure to be a fellow docent with her at the Elvehjem/Chazen Mueum. Ann Sauthoff"
"Randy and Brad your Mom was always so nice. Orchard Ridge was a great place for all of us to grow up and your Mom was good to have on the Park. Sympathy to you. Linda Yde Holmes"
"Ingrid and I were "roll mates" at the Chazen: Russell followed me, Rowin in the list of docents. Close in the alphabet, we have another connection - Ingrid passed on my birthday. She was a lively, curious woman who set a wonderful example for all to stay engaged, enjoy life and laugh often. She will be missed. (p.s., Ingrid, say Hi to Marion.) "
"Ingrid was much loved. She was my big 'sister', my mentor, my Wangninjiao Friday Friend. "