Obituary of Christine Russell

RUSSELL - Christine Russell (age 91 years) passed away peacefully on April 4, 2008 at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home. She was born May 2, 1916 at Kessock, Saskatchewan; the eighth child of twelve born to Donald and Mary (MacLennan) MacKenzie. As a teenager she moved with her family to a farm near Rokeby, Sask. where she met her future husband. On October 30, 1937 Chris married Claude Russell. They were blessed with three sons and one daughter. Chris and Claude resided on the Russell family farm until 1969, at which time they retired to a home in Yorkton. Besides being a homemaker and raising four children, Chris participated in the activities of local community clubs (Rokeby Ladies Aid, Rokeby Community Club, and Westview United Church women's group.) Her favorite recreation was curling. She enjoyed the sport for many years. In her words "I never considered myself a very good curler, but we sure had a lot of fun". In her retirement Chris provided childcare for several families. It always pleased her years later to hear of her young charges and how they had grown up into responsible adults with families of their own. In the mid 1980's Claude and Chris moved to the Queen Elizabeth Court apartments where Chris resided until moving into the Yorkton and District Nursing Home in 2006. Chris was preceded in death by her husband Claude (1988), eldest son Grant (2004), and all her siblings. She is survived by her children: Gary (Elaine Kuprowski) of London, ON; Dean (Betty McDougall) of Rokeby; Lalah (Wayne Anton) of Shingleton, California; daughters-in-law: (Marlene Grieve and Joan Buckmaster), both of Moose Jaw; four sisters-in-law: Ellen MacKenzie, Alice MacKenzie, Marg Russell, and Ruby Haliburton; nine grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren, and numerous other relatives and friends. The funeral service was held on Friday, April 11, 2008 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Rev. Doug Craig of St. Andrew's United Church officiating. Granddaughter Elaine Binner gave the eulogy, and granddaughter Shannon read a poem. Organist, Shani Apland led the congregation in the singing of the hymns 'Let There Be Peace on Earth', and 'Nearer My God To Thee'. Special music was provided by great grandson Braden Hager on violin. A family favorite song - Annie laurie was played as the recessional. Honorary bearers were Elaine (Randy) Binner, Shelley (Brad) Hager, Shannon (Matthew) Kneale, Mark (Patricia) Russell, Laurie (Larry) Anderson, Julie (Jeremy) Webb, Brian (Heidi) Russell, Blair (Adynea) Russell, and Stuart (Dora) Russell. The interment took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Stuart Russell serving as the urnbearer. Arrangements were in entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Friday, April 11th, 2008 2:00pm, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Yorkton City Cemetery