ELWOOD, Kan. – Josephine E. (Holzhauser) Russell, Elwood, passed away Sunday, June 18, 2006, at Carriage Square Convalescent Center, St. Joseph. Josephine, one of six children, was born on March 4, 1916, to Charles and Edith (Curley) Holzhauser, and attended schools in Wathena, and Elwood, Kan. On Nov. 23, 1933, she was united in marriage to Norman Reed Russell, and they made their home in St. Joseph. Josephine was a loving mother to 12 children. She taught all of her children to be independent and gave them all the love she had to give. When the children were young, she made all of their clothes, and cooked everything from scratch. She was a great cook and knew how to stretch the meal so that no one went hungry.
Josephine was a lifelong member of Jehovah’s Witnesses and tried to encourage all who knew her to study the truth. She was a member of the Troy, Kan. congregation. When her husband of 39 years passed away in 1972, Josephine had three young boys yet to raise. She put herself through beauty college, and learned to drive a car for the first time at age 57 so that she could provide for her family. She was a beautician for several years. When her sister Hazel and then Stella fell ill, it was Josephine that cared for them. She has been a caregiver her whole life.
Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, Reed; her parents; two sons, Michael Reed and Jimmy Dale Russell; two sisters, Hazel (Holzhauser) Schubert and Stella Holzhauser; two brothers, Fred and Davis Holzhauser, and two grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Donald E. Russell and wife, Janet of Amazonia, Mo.; Peggy L. Bryson and husband, William, Las Vegas, Nev.; John C. Russell and wife, Irma of Conroe, Texas,; Ray E. Russell and wife Cheryl*, Floresville, Texas,; Linda E. Clark and husband David, Bella Vista, Ark.; Sally A. Hubbard and husband, William, Los Osos, Calif.; Sherrill Russell and wife Penny, Elwod; William B. Russell and wife, Sharon, St. Joseph; Timothy P. Russell and wife, Vicky, Faucett, Mo.; and Joseph R. Russell, Elwood; brother alpha N. Holzhauser, St. Joseph; 35 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Rupp Chapel, and the inurnment will be at the Bellemont Cemetery, Wathena, Kan.
Source: St. Joseph News-Press
Submitted by: Peg Bryson
*Correct spelling: Sheryl.