In Memory Of
Helen M. Russo
1925
2016
Helen M. Russo
March 26, 1925 — November 14, 2016
Helen M. Russo, age 91, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at home in Topeka Kansas, Monday, November 14, 2016. She showed grace, courage and strength through to the end.
Helen was born in Pittston, PA on March 26, 1925 to Anthony and Anna (Dignaitus) Mitsuti. Helen married Dominic Russo on September 8, 1946. Helen and Dominic lived a full and active life filled with a large family and many friends. Dominic passed away in 2007. Helen continued to be active with her family up to a few days before her passing.
In 1967 the Russo family moved to Yankton, SD and lived there for several years. Dominic worked for Dale Electronics and Helen and son John opened Russo's Café Exceptionale, where Helen enjoyed sharing her new and delicious food ideas with the community. Her many talents included making all sorts of crafts from sewing to calligraphy, to creating individual Christmas ornaments for family, friends and neighbors. Helen and Dominic were always happy to share a meal and their friendship with others. In 1980 Helen and Dominic moved to Gardner, Kansas until retirement. In 2006 they settled into Brewster Place in Topeka. Helen continued her love of crafts and created many items for the Brewster Bazaar every year.
Helen is survived by their five children, John (Diane Lenzen) Russo, Marble Falls TX, Ann (Dennis) Menke, Yankton, SD, Christopher (Debra Lehrke) Russo, Tyler, TX, Dominic (Dolly Brunick) Russo, Yankton, SD, and Maria (Michael) Wilson, Topeka, KS; 24 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at the church from12:30 to 1:30 p.m. with a rosary to be prayed at 1:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 SE Virginia Avenue, Topeka, KS.
A visitation and wake service in Yankton, SD will be at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, 601 W 21st St. Yankton, SD. The visitation will start at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 5, 2016, and the wake will begin at 1:45 p.m. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Yankton, SD.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or by calling 1-800-805-5856.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
Helen was born in Pittston, PA on March 26, 1925 to Anthony and Anna (Dignaitus) Mitsuti. Helen married Dominic Russo on September 8, 1946. Helen and Dominic lived a full and active life filled with a large family and many friends. Dominic passed away in 2007. Helen continued to be active with her family up to a few days before her passing.
In 1967 the Russo family moved to Yankton, SD and lived there for several years. Dominic worked for Dale Electronics and Helen and son John opened Russo's Café Exceptionale, where Helen enjoyed sharing her new and delicious food ideas with the community. Her many talents included making all sorts of crafts from sewing to calligraphy, to creating individual Christmas ornaments for family, friends and neighbors. Helen and Dominic were always happy to share a meal and their friendship with others. In 1980 Helen and Dominic moved to Gardner, Kansas until retirement. In 2006 they settled into Brewster Place in Topeka. Helen continued her love of crafts and created many items for the Brewster Bazaar every year.
Helen is survived by their five children, John (Diane Lenzen) Russo, Marble Falls TX, Ann (Dennis) Menke, Yankton, SD, Christopher (Debra Lehrke) Russo, Tyler, TX, Dominic (Dolly Brunick) Russo, Yankton, SD, and Maria (Michael) Wilson, Topeka, KS; 24 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at the church from12:30 to 1:30 p.m. with a rosary to be prayed at 1:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 SE Virginia Avenue, Topeka, KS.
A visitation and wake service in Yankton, SD will be at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, 601 W 21st St. Yankton, SD. The visitation will start at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 5, 2016, and the wake will begin at 1:45 p.m. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Yankton, SD.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or by calling 1-800-805-5856.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen M. Russo, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, December 3, 2016
12:30 - 2:00 pm (Central time)
St. Matthews Catholic Church
Guestbook
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