Helen ""Virginia"" Russ

Helen ""Virginia"" Russ was born in Leadville, Colorado on December 24, 1931 and passed away on July 29, 2017 at the age of 85. She had a wonderful life with her husband, Martin John Russ also ofLeadville, with whom she eloped and married on November 3, 1952. Martin passed away July 9, 1996. Martin was in the Navy and they spent their early years together in Oak Harbor, WA and later moved in 1957 to Boulder, where they raised their family. They are survived by their three children, Susan (Dennis) Connor, Gary (Carlanan) Russ and Sandra (Joel) Russ Perry of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Laura (Spencer) Shiotani, Dennis Connor, Jr., Thomas (Kellee) Connor, Tobias Russ; great-grandchildren, Masahiro Shiotani (5) and Kirin Shiotani (1) Karsen Connor (17), Aiden Connor (13), and Brenden Connor (11). Virginia graduated in 1950 as Salutatorian from Lake County High School in Leadville, later working at the phone company in both Leadville and Boulder. She was a happy homemaker with a great sense of humor, and mostly had a smile on her face and always with a song to sing or hum. She had an unending imagination, and was always doing something such as playing the piano, sewing, needlepoint, knitting, crocheting, oil painting, or anything creative, all with a good book in the other hand, and while raising her family. She was a woman of strong faith and solidarity who volunteered at First Presbyterian Church of Boulder for years. She also enjoyed her bridge group for decades, and was on a bowling team for years. She remained close friends with a group of women who she met in 1962 in Boulder, and maintained many dear friendships throughout her lifetime. Her love and joy for others beamed throughout her soul and into the world through her smile. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Covenant Village Memory Care for their wonderful care and compassion for our mother in the last months of her life. A private family 'Celebration of Life' will be held graveside in Leadville, Colorado, in lieu of a memorial service. Donations may be made in Helen's honor to: Covenant Village Memory Care 9153 Yarrow Street Westminster, Colorado 80021 Written condolences may be forwarded to The Russ Family c/o Horan & McConaty Funeral Services 7577 W 80th Avenue Arvada, Colorado 80003 Please share your memories of Helen and condolences with her family by signing the guest book below.