Obituary for Phyllis Jean Russell (Geisen)
Phyllis Jean Russell was called to her heavenly home on July 10, 2021. She spent her final days surrounded by her loving family in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late May 2021. After several medical attempts she prayerfully accepted her fate and went peacefully with grace. Like the teacher she was, her last weeks were spent sharing her wisdom with her family of fearless faith, gentle transparency and love. She wanted her family and friends to know she was very much at peace and prayed that all of us could be at peace as well. Her special parting words were… “I am too Blessed to be Stressed!”.
Phyllis was born on January 2, 1936 in Gary, Indiana to the late Edna and Herbert Geisen. She was preceded in death by her sister Sarah Craigin, brother-in-law Robert (Bob) Craigin and brother William (Bill) Geisen. Phyllis is survived by her husband of 61 years, Richard (Rich) Russell, her younger sister Barbara (Robert) Cummings, her daughter Lynn Anne Seal (David), son Daniel (Dan) Russell and grandchildren Adam Rahman, Joseph Rahman and Hannah Rahman.
She graduated from Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Indiana. Accomplished her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, her master’s degree from St Francis in Ft Wayne, Indiana and her doctorate from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. Phyllis taught several elementary grades and later became a principal at Nora Elementary in Washington Township, Indianapolis, Indiana. Rich and Phyllis raised their children in Fishers, Indiana before retiring to Phyllis’s favorite family vacation location since 1944 in beautiful Bear Lake in Northern Michigan.
Phyllis rarely came across an activity she did not explore! Her personal interests included Phi Mu Sorority, AYS (After Your School) which she helped create, Trigenta (local Bear Lake philanthropic ladies’ group) ~ past President in 2020, St Joseph Ladies Guild and Spirit of the Woods Garden Club. Some of her many hobbies she enjoyed through the years were bowling, golf, tennis, pickleball, walking, roller skating, skiing, cards, fishing and enjoying nature!
A memorial service and Celebration of Phyllis Russell’s Life is planned for Saturday, September 4, 2021. Memorial service will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church in Onekama, Michigan starting at 11:00 am with family visitation beginning at 10:00 am at the church. A Celebration of Life reception and luncheon will be held at the Russell’s home from 1-5pm at 12851 Hopkins Forest Dr., Bear Lake, MI 49614.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Phyllis’s memory to:
1. St John Vianney Catholic School, 2319 Bagley St., Flint, MI 48504
2. AYS (After Your School) AYSkids.org
3. St Joseph Catholic Church -8380 Fifth St, Onekama, MI 49675
4. University of MI organ transplant camp -Camp Michitanki www.michigantransplant.org
Local Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee
She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late May 2021. After several medical attempts she prayerfully accepted her fate and went peacefully with grace. Like the teacher she was, her last weeks were spent sharing her wisdom with her family of fearless faith, gentle transparency and love. She wanted her family and friends to know she was very much at peace and prayed that all of us could be at peace as well. Her special parting words were… “I am too Blessed to be Stressed!”.
Phyllis was born on January 2, 1936 in Gary, Indiana to the late Edna and Herbert Geisen. She was preceded in death by her sister Sarah Craigin, brother-in-law Robert (Bob) Craigin and brother William (Bill) Geisen. Phyllis is survived by her husband of 61 years, Richard (Rich) Russell, her younger sister Barbara (Robert) Cummings, her daughter Lynn Anne Seal (David), son Daniel (Dan) Russell and grandchildren Adam Rahman, Joseph Rahman and Hannah Rahman.
She graduated from Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Indiana. Accomplished her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, her master’s degree from St Francis in Ft Wayne, Indiana and her doctorate from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. Phyllis taught several elementary grades and later became a principal at Nora Elementary in Washington Township, Indianapolis, Indiana. Rich and Phyllis raised their children in Fishers, Indiana before retiring to Phyllis’s favorite family vacation location since 1944 in beautiful Bear Lake in Northern Michigan.
Phyllis rarely came across an activity she did not explore! Her personal interests included Phi Mu Sorority, AYS (After Your School) which she helped create, Trigenta (local Bear Lake philanthropic ladies’ group) ~ past President in 2020, St Joseph Ladies Guild and Spirit of the Woods Garden Club. Some of her many hobbies she enjoyed through the years were bowling, golf, tennis, pickleball, walking, roller skating, skiing, cards, fishing and enjoying nature!
A memorial service and Celebration of Phyllis Russell’s Life is planned for Saturday, September 4, 2021. Memorial service will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church in Onekama, Michigan starting at 11:00 am with family visitation beginning at 10:00 am at the church. A Celebration of Life reception and luncheon will be held at the Russell’s home from 1-5pm at 12851 Hopkins Forest Dr., Bear Lake, MI 49614.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Phyllis’s memory to:
1. St John Vianney Catholic School, 2319 Bagley St., Flint, MI 48504
2. AYS (After Your School) AYSkids.org
3. St Joseph Catholic Church -8380 Fifth St, Onekama, MI 49675
4. University of MI organ transplant camp -Camp Michitanki www.michigantransplant.org
Local Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee