MARCIA LOUISE ANDERSON RUSSELL

Marcia Louise Anderson Russell passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, with her family by her side at the EveryStep Hospice House in Creston, IA.
She was born on May 24, 1950, in Corning, IA to Wilma Lucille Damewood Anderson and Leon “Swede” Anderson. She graduated high school from Bedford Community School in 1968. She met the love of her life Henry Emmett Russell (H.E.) and they were united in marriage on May 7, 1971 in Bedford, IA. They raised four strong willed daughters on the farm in rural Bedford, IA. She was their strongest supporter, whether it was showing cattle or playing sports. She was known by many for her outspoken support at both cattle shows and sporting events. Later on in life, her daughter’s competitors became some of closest friends. She was a farm wife and worked at the vet clinic and bank in Bedford.
In 1991, they moved to the town of Massena, IA where Henry took a job at Union National Bank and Debbie and Robyn graduated high school. Later on, Marcia worked at ERCI in Massena where she met some of her closest friends. In Massena, she enjoyed golfing with great friends, building furniture and experiencing the birth of her four grandchildren.
In 2003, they moved to a farm south of Diagonal to become closer to their children and grandchildren. They raised purebred Angus cattle and a huge garden. Marcia played an active role in the farm, whether it was combining corn or selling bulls.
Her fondest memories revolved around her grandchildren, playing sports, showing livestock or hearing their hunting stories. Marcia was known to arrive before the bus full of athletes to all of her grandchildren’s sporting events. Marcia never missed an event or activity and was her grandchildren’s biggest supporter. She was known to help celebrate their biggest wins and was always the life of the party. Wherever Marcia was, that is where the fun was. She never knew a stranger and made every person she encountered feel important. Marcia was well known for her spectacular cooking, especially her world-famous strawberry pie. Her favorite title was Grandma Marsh or Mamaw and that is what many knew her by.
Marcia enjoyed coffee with the ladies, golfing with her family and friends and boxing at Rock Steady Boxing in Atlantic that specializes in helping those with Parkinson’s Disease. Later on in life, she enjoyed going to Texas for the winter with Henry and some of their close friends where they made lots of great memories.
She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law and brother, John Anderson; brothers-in-law, Carl Russell, Tom Fisher and Jim Lucas; sister-in-law, Opal Russell, along with many close friends.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 51 years, Henry; daughters: Tricia (Colby) Holmes, Jennifer Russell, Deborah Russell and Robyn (Brian) Bickel; grandchildren: Katelyn Holmes, Russell Holmes, Cauy Bickel and Brady Bickel; sister: Nancy (Steve) Davison; sisters-in-law: Evelyn Fisher and Kay Lucas; and several nieces, nephews and close friends.
Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
Services were at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at the United Church of Diagonal in Diagonal, IA.
Officiating was Pastor Ed Wegele and Jim Werner.
Musicians were First Things First.
Special songs were “Fear Not Tomorrow”, “How Great Thou Art” and “In The Garden”.
Casketbearers were Matt Lucas, Joe Lucas, Chris Falk, Jim Miller, Tyler Roth and Connor Davison.
Honorary pallbearers were Katelyn Holmes, Russell Holmes, Cauy Bickel and Brady Bickel.
At Rest at Bohemian Cemetery in Diagonal, IA.
Memorials In Her Name To Be Decided.