Geneva Ann Russell

Geneva (Ginny) Russell went home to the Lord on August 5, 2019.

Ginny was born in Bryant, South Dakota on July 8, 1924 to Hurley (Hap) and Edna (Schanck) Halligan. She grew up in Bryant surrounded by family and friends, graduating from Bryant High School in 1942. She had one younger brother, Michael, born March 18, 1935.

After high school Ginny worked in the Bryant State Bank prior to joining the Navy on July 8, 1944, her 20th birthday.  She did her basic training in New York City at Hunter College and then was stationed in Seattle, Washington and Cleveland, Ohio. While in Seattle she met a young sailor, Bobby, and fell in love. After the war she went home to Bryant, Bob soon followed, and on October 10, 1946 she became Mrs.Robert Russell.

Following their marriage they moved to Jackson, Mississippi where their first son, David, was born.  In 1951 they moved to California to start a new life. There, their daughter, Robin, and their second son, John, were born. 

In 1974 they went to visit their son David in Ritzville, Washington and attend the World's Fair in Spokane. They decided it was time to leave California and, accompanied by their daughter, son-in-law and grandson, packed up and moved to Ritzville.

They bought a big Victorian house and little by little Ginny restored it to a gorgeous home for family and friends. She filled it with beautiful antiques which she collected on their travels.

In 1992 they moved to Yakima and finally to Lacey in 1996, following their daughter Robin and son-in-law Freddy, on his path in his career as a state trooper.

Ginny and Bob spent their final 22 years together in Lacey making a  home that was always a welcoming place to family, friends and neighbors. Ginny was known for being a generous hostess, taking in any and all in need of a good meal or a place to stay.  She was known for her delicious fresh strawberry pie. She was extremely artistic and created beauty in her home and yard everywhere she lived.

In April of 2018 her beloved "Bobby" passed away after 72 years together.  Because she was unable to live alone, her family moved her to an assisted living apartment in Spokane, near her kids and grandkids, where she spent her final months.

She is survived by her son David, daughter Roberta (Robin) and son-in-law Freddy, son John and daughter-in-law Kelly, seven grandchildren and their spouses and numerous great-grandchildren.

 A Memorial Service with U. S. Navy Funeral Honors and Committal is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2019 at the Tahoma National Cemetery.  To share your memories of Geneva and leave condolences for the family, please visit her guestbook.