Delores "Dee" R. Russell

Delores "Dee" R. Russell, 98, of Rockford, was called into the Lord's presence at 2:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center. She was born on March 22, 1926, in Mille Lacs County, MN, to Oscar and Olga (Anderson) Dahlstrom. Dee grew up in Rockford and graduated from East High School in 1944, from Swedish American Hospital School of Nursing in 1947, and from Trinity Bible College in Chicago in 1952. She worked as a nurse in Rockford and Chicago and married Robert "Bob" L. Russell in Lima, Peru, South America, on September 15, 1954. Along with her husband, Dee was engaged in missionary service in Peru for around 25 years, most of that time with Wycliffe Bible Translators. The most important decision of her life occurred when she was 7 years of age, when she received Jesus Christ as her Savior. Her dedicated Christian parents nurtured her in the faith. The daily family worship time with hymn singing, Bible reading, and prayer made a lasting impression on her life. Dee was a member of Rockford First Evangelical Free Church, the Delores Circle, and the Maranatha Sunday school class, and she served as a deaconess.

Dee will always be remembered as having a tender, caring heart. She kept detailed prayer journals and was quick to commit to praying about needs she learned of. She followed through on those commitments. Twice a day, she and Bob would pray through the names of all their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, asking God’s blessing and leading in their lives. She was committed to Scripture memorization, daily reciting verses from the Bible that began with each letter of the alphabet. Dee looked forward to the day when she would finally move to her heavenly home, where she would enjoy God’s presence and all the amazing things he has prepared for those who love him. Dee was a gifted piano player, even though she only had little formal training. Dee especially enjoyed old hymns and could play many of them from memory. She continued to play occasionally even as she approached the end of her life.

Dee is survived by daughters, Lois (José) Tardío of Denver, CO, and Sarah (Court) Burkhart of Elgin, IL; sons, David (Giselle) Russell of Elkhart, IN, and James Russell of San Pedro, CA; grandchildren Jameelah (Andrew) Preece of Chubbuck, ID, and Caleb (Candace) Tardio of Denver, CO; Jorin Burkhart of Streamwood, IL, and Chloe Burkhart of Elgin, IL; Samantha Russell of Elkhart, IN, and Aaron Russell of Fishers, IN; great-granddaughter, Paisley Weber of Elkhart, IN, and another great-granddaughter on the way; nephews, David (Lillian) Engblom of Loveland, CO, and Philip (Christine) Engblom of Rockford; and niece, Rebecca (Rob) Bohnenkamp of Oviedo, FL. Dee was predeceased by her husband, Bob; parents; brothers and sister-in-law, Bertel (Lilly) Dahlstrom and Oscar Dahlstrom; sisters and brothers-in-law, Martha (Walter) Engblom, Esther Dahlstrom, Edith (James) Koken, and Grace (Pembroke) Taylor; nephew, Jonathan Engblom; and niece, Pamela Strey.

A graveside service will be private. There will be a memorial picnic for relatives and friends in the summer. Memorials may be made to Sonset Solutions (P.O. Box 2709, Elkhart, IN 46515- 2709) or Missions Fund of First Evangelical Free Church, Rockford.

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