Edna Russell

Edna Emma Broadhead Russell, 104, peacefully returned to her Father in Heaven on Mother's Day, May 8, 2011.

She was born June 14, 1906, to Ernest Willard Broadhead and Ellen Gorena Bruun. Her earliest memories were of growing up in the beautiful Mancos Valley in Colorado. Her family moved to Salt Lake City while she was in grade school. Music played a large role in her life and she and her sisters were in high demand as a singing trio throughout the valley.

She married Laddle Russell on October 22, 1928, and moved to Kamas where they raised six children on a ranch. Rural Kamas was quite a culture shock for this city girl but she adapted well, a trait that continued to serve her. She and Laddle worked long, hard days, but also enjoyed new cars and trips back east. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1942. After a health scare with Laddle, the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona then settled back in Morgan in the 1950's, where she lived the remainder of her life.

Edna was an enthusiastic member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served in many callings particularly enjoying her work as a chorister, doing extraction, genealogy and temple work. She was quick to bear testimony of her Savior, the gospel, and to acknowledge her many blessings.

When you spoke to Edna she made you believe you were the most important person in the world. You never went away hungry from her company, being both spiritually and physically fed.

Edna was a perpetual student of life. She taught herself to read different languages, enjoyed books, beautiful music, antiques and lovely clothes. She enjoyed ballets, good art, and was an artist in her own right. She had a fun sense of humor and loved a good hard laugh. Edna had many challenges. As a child, her family lived through financially depressed times; she lost her teenage son, Carl, to a tragic horse accident; lost her husband to whom she was completely devoted over 35 years ago; and was a three time cancer survivor. She always lived her life with a courageous spirit, and endured to the end. Edna's memory was keen through her last day, providing us with rich conversations about her experiences and the changes she lived through. She was so proud of her heritage and loved her posterity.

She is survived by five children, Don (Lacy) Russell, Morgan; Paul (Lori) Russell, Morgan; Patricia (Jim) Junk, Ogden; Carol Russell, Ogden; and Stephen "Joe" (Nancy) Russell, Morgan; 19 grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband in 1975, son Carl, and all of her sisters.

Special thanks to her extended family at the Family Tree and Love Hospice for the loving care they provided. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the church missionary fund.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday May, 14, 2011 at 11 a.m. in th Field St Chapel, 240 S. 300 W. in Morgan. A viewing will be held Friday, May 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Walker Mortuary and at the church on Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.