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Hanna Russell Obituary

Hanna Russell (Rork)
Hanna Russell (Rork) surrounded by loving family members in her Akron home, left to be with The Lord on July 11, 2008. Born Aug. 1, 1922, in Baltimore, Md., to Norwegian immigrants Knud and Sigrid Hansen, Hanna was raised, along with four brothers and three sisters in Brooklyn, N.Y. She lived in Akron for more than 60 years, where she was a homemaker who raised seven daughters, and always had a special love for infants and children. She was an active member of Hillwood Chapel, where she belonged to the Tuesday morning prayer circle for more than 50 years; past president and honorary lifetime member of Firestone Park PTA; charter member of the Firestone Park Senior Citizens Group; and member of the Akron Story League and TOPS. Hanna was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, James L. Rork; brothers Raymond, Carroll, and Sidney Hansen; and sisters Sigrid Hansen and Jeanette Armao. She is survived by her husband of two years, Riley Russell; sister Bertha Pedersen; brother Knud (Gladys) Hansen; daughters JannaBruner, Jamia Thursby, Joy (Ken) Frame, Judith (David) Hederich, Jocelyn (Paul) Perge, Jeannette (Mike) Scullion, and Jennifer (Jon) Shaw; step-daughters Constance (Kerry). Galliher, Cathy (Bob) Struble, and Carol (Rick) Reynolds; grandchildren Christopher, Thomas, and Mark (Rebecca) Thursby, James (Holly) Beverly, Kenneth and Claire Frame, Carolyn Scullion, and Hanna, Matthew and Jonathan Shaw; stepgrandchildren Steve (Laura) Bair, Timothy Struble, Chris Struble, Jeni (David) Hardin and Ruthie (Jamie) Abrusci; great-grandchildren Chastity and James Thursby; and stepgreat-grandchildren Devon Struble and Sophia Abrusci. Calling hours will be Sunday, July 13, from 2 to 6 pm at Anthony & Biscan Funeral Home, 4178 Massillon Road, (corner of Steese and Massillon Rds in Green).  Private interment at Rose Hill Burial Park.   Memorial service, Monday, July 14, 11 am at Hillwood Chapel, Reverend Rufus Hofelt, II presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hillwood Chapel, 4824 S. Arlington Road, Uniontown, OH 44685; Haven of Rest Ministries, P.O. Box 547, Akron, OH 44309; or Hospice of Summa, St. Thomas Hospital, 444 N. Main Street, Akron, OH 44310.
(Anthony & Biscan, 330-899-9790 www.kakfh.com)
Please sign the guestbook at www.cantonrep.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Repository or The Independent from Jul. 12 to Jul. 13, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Hanna Russell

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Joe & Sue Bearer

July 23, 2008

Rilley and Family. You and the top ten had a wonderful Wife and Mother and we had a truely great friend in Hanna. Thanks for sharing her with us.Love, Joe and Sue

William Sigler

July 15, 2008

My deepest sympathy

Kelly and Charles Hayman

July 14, 2008

You are all in our thoughts and Prayers. We will continue to hold you in our prayers in the coming days. Please know we are so sorry for your loss.
Love-Charles, Kelly, Austin, Payton, and Emma Hayman

Barbara Shaffer

July 14, 2008

Dear Rork,and Russell family,I am so very sorry to hear that Hanna has passed away.It is good to know that she is with the good Lord and he is taking care of her.I know that she was a special lady and loved the Lord and her family very much.You all are in my prayers may God give you his strength. Love Barbara and John Shaffer

Timothy Russell

July 14, 2008

In My Pocket

I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.

My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.

They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.

Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.

But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.

Tom, Debbie and Jason Comerford

July 13, 2008

To Uncle Roe and Family,
I am saddened to hear of the passing of one so dear and important in your lives. After reading the other guest book entries it sounds like we missed out on meeting a wonderful Christian woman. God's peace be with you and have comfort in knowing that Hanna is now praising her Savior in His presence.

Teresa Zido Weinkauf

July 13, 2008

My deepest condolences to Mrs. Russel's family; Joy was a childhood friend in Firestone Park, and I remember Mrs. Rork (at the time) as a wonderful, busy mom who treated all of us neighborhood kids with kindness. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Dan and Susan Capps

July 13, 2008

For the Family, we have been praying for Hanna all this while in our small group meeting at Community of Believers Church with Bob and Cathy. Just to hear about such a wonderful woman and her unfailing commitment to the Lord's plans has always been encouraging. God bless you Mr. Russell, you are surrounded by loving family.

Brent Chapa

July 13, 2008

Riley and Family,

I just heard about Hanna's passing and I want to send my condolences to you. My prayers are with you at this time.

Diane & Jeff Power

July 13, 2008

To Uncle Roe and the family of Hanna Rork Russell:
We are so sorry for your loss and share in your grief of losing such a wonderful, caring person. May God be with you all.

Nancy (Stewart) Laumakis

July 13, 2008

To the family,
You will never know the profound effect that your family has had on my life, and the love and respect I have for your parents. I am grieving with you, but know in my heart that she is in heaven with Jesus and those she loved and cared for so much, and will be there to greet us when we are called home. Thank you, Hanna, for all you have done for me. You are one of the biggest blessings I count in my life.

Tracey Noe

July 13, 2008

My precious Hanna, I will see you again.....My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! I will miss you all, God Bless.

Beth Walls

July 12, 2008

Hanna was a gracious, fun and fabulous person. I always came away from my meetings with her feeling a little sparkle in my heart. I loved her spirit, her pride in her family and her willingness to live every day to it's best!! Heaven is a better place today but earth will never be the same.

My prayers are with all of you.

Kelly

July 12, 2008

To The Rork and Russell Family,

We are so sad to hear of Hanna's passing. She was such a kind and loving soul. What a great long life she was able to have. She will be missed very much. Keep together through family for strength. God will be there to help through the sorrow. You are in out thoughts and prayers.
The Lough Family

Don Brown

July 12, 2008

To the family of Hanna Rork Russel:

I grew up a part of the Hillwood Chapel family and will forever remember what a special person Hanna was. My mom and dad (Lawrence and Zona) were so fond of her, and I'm sure they will be in line to welcome her home! God Bless all of you, and know that you all have my deepest sympathies.

William Holko

July 12, 2008

To the family of Hanna Rork Russell:

What an absolutely wonderful woman! My wife Diane and I first met Hanna (and Jack) when I was appointed as an assistant principal at Akron North High School in 1975. We will always remember how welcoming and helpful the Rorks were to us. Hanna was the epitome of kindness and grace. He life truly radiated her faith in Jesus Christ.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Hanna's family. She will be missed by all.

Sincerely,
Bill and Diane Holko

Sue Alexander

July 12, 2008

To Hanna's loved ones & friends -
I am very sorry for your loss. As I grew up attending Hillwood Chapel, Hanna was always a presence in my life. She never failed to have a kind word or a smile. She loved and served her Lord for as long as I knew her, and now she is with him. There is a happy reunion in heaven today, because a faithful servant has come home. I pray that God will strengthen and comfort you during these difficult days.

Carol Schmauder

July 12, 2008

My sympathy and prayers for the Rork/Russell family. Hannah was a strong Christian woman and always made me smile when I was with her or spoke to her. It was my pleasure to know her.

Ron & Linda Hentsch

July 12, 2008

We are so sorry for your loss. We hear she was a very special woman.

Joyce [Bibey] Booth

July 12, 2008

Riley & Family, I am so sorry to hear about Hanna, I know she will be missed by alot of people. I first met Hanna back when we started out up in Hillwood homes. I did alot of babysitting for her. I haven't had much contack with her in the last few year. After we moved to West Virgina mother was always keeping me up dated about all of the people of Hillwood Chaple. I know Mother is going to miss her a lot, as so many people will . My prayers are with all of you. And may God give you peice knowing that you will see her again in Heaven, All My Love Joyce & Woody

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