Kelli Russell

1983 - 2017

Kelli Jo Russell
July 11, 1983 - February 11, 2017
Our beloved Kelli Jo passed away at home on February 11, 2017, at the age of 33 following a five-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. Kelli was a woman of courage, grace, stubbornness and fight - she was beautiful inside and out. Her life's enjoyments were traveling, teaching, playing pinochle, and spending time with family.
On July 11, 1983, Kelli was born in Emmett, Idaho, to Nancy and Clyde Russell. She graduated from Emmett High School in 2001. She always knew she wanted to be a teacher and pursued a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Idaho. Kelli was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, where she met her lifelong friends, the "Diamonds." After graduating in 2006, Kelli accepted a position at Fernley High School in Fernley, Nevada; she taught reading and English for ten and a half years. In 2016, Fernley High School honored Kelli as Teacher of the Year.
Shortly after moving to Fernley, she met the love of her life-Chad Rice. Together, they travelled the world, shared countless laughs, and joyous memories. Their love for each other was radiant and he always made her smile.
Kelli was preceded in death by her father, Clyde Russell.
Kelli is survived by her mother, Nancy Russell, and fiancé, Monty Short; sisters: Karee (Don) Head and Kim (Nick) Button; her beloved Chad Rice; his parents, Mel and Sandy Rice, and sister, Kyla Rice; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.
Kelli is loved by many and her positive outlook on life inspired all she met. The family is grateful for her Fernley family-the love, support and compassion they have given her and Chad over the years.
A funeral service will be held at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Fernley, NV, on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at 2 p.m. A reception will immediately follow. A celebration of life will be held in Emmett, Idaho, at a later date.