Martha Dorothy Russell

In Loving Memory Martha Dorothy Russell Martha Russell, 95, passed away peacefully November 3, 2014, in her home under the loving care of her daughter-in-law Flory and son Rick. She was born in Bergen, Norway March 7, 1919, to Olaf and Abalona Johnson and moved to a small railroad town in Montana when she was nine years old where her father worked for the railroad. After a railroad accident four years later, her mother was left with eight children to raise. They moved to Bozeman Mt. where her mother ran a boarding house and later worked for a local boys’ school as the head cook. Martha moved to Seattle after High School to attend Clerical College; after graduating she worked for the US Government. She married Joseph Russell whom she had met earlier in Bozeman when he was a college student living in her mother’s boarding house. Joseph was from Butte, MT where his father was quarter owner of Anaconda Copper Mine. The Russell’s were also relatives of Charles Russell the famous western painter. Martha and Joseph had two children, a daughter Charmaine (Chari) and son Rick. When their children were growing up they took the opportunity to move to Guam where Joseph was a teacher with the international school and Martha continued working for the Government. They lived on Guam for 17 years taking the opportunity to travel every two years when given first class tickets to fly home. They would trade them for 4 coach tickets and "See the World". Later they moved to be near their children buying property in Newberg. Martha was an active member of her church joining in quilting and other activities. She was a kind, warm, caring person who enjoyed her family, extended family, friends, sewing, gospel music and listening to Marthadina her granddaughter, play the piano. Marthadina was born on Martha's 77th birthday. She said Marthadina kept her young and so enjoyed seeing her grow up next door. Martha was a life-long Lutheran and a founding member of Joyful Servant Lutheran Church. She is survived by daughter Charmaine Potts (Florida), Son & Daughter-in-Law Rick & Flory Russell (Newberg), three Grandchildren and numerous Great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph and two grandsons. A Memorial service will be held at Joyful Servant Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2014. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be given in Martha's name to Joyful Servant Lutheran Church. Arrangements are in the care of Attrell's Newberg Funeral Chapel, a Golden Rule Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made to www.attrells.com.