JoAnn Marie Russell

JoAnn Marie Russell (Stone) passed away peacefully on October 11, 2022 at MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines, IA. She was 88 years old.
JoAnn was born in Ames, IA on May 7, 1934, to Nellie and Kenneth Stone. JoAnn and her family moved from Granger, IA to a beautiful farm with hundreds of acres just a mile south of Madrid, IA when she was 12 years old.
JoAnn graduated from Madrid, the class of 1954. She worked at the Madrid Nursing Home for many years as a dedicated healthcare worker and went above and beyond for each and every person she cared for. Giving them the highest quality of life. Saying "no" or turning a blind eye was never an option. She was always one of the first to show up and last one to leave due to her loyalty, respect, and compassion to the residents of the Madrid Nursing Home she called "her second family".
In 1977 JoAnn began a career at the Woodward State Hospital and School where her strengths and qualities were without a doubt welcomed and respected. Her husband, Bob Russell, was an electrician at the Woodward State Hospital and School also. JoAnn and Bob would see one another at shift changes. JoAnn worked the a.m. shift and Bob worked the p.m. shift. JoAnn and Bob married on July 2, 1966, at First Methodist Church in Madrid, IA and were married until Bob's passing in February 2004.
JoAnn retired from the Woodward State Hospital and School in 1966. During her retirement years she filled her days with going back to the farm and helping with chores, cooking, and baking with her mother, Nellie. At her own home in Boxtown, an area of Madrid, JoAnn and Bob would share the same interests with landscaping, gardening, planting trees, shrubs, flowers, and decorating their backyard into a scenic, vibrant, enchanting magical retreat. JoAnn had a love for animals. Her and Bob shared dogs, cats, a pet raccoon Bandit, turtles, and fish. They were honored one month by Madrid receiving "Yard of the Month ''. JoAnn's children and grandchildren would keep her busy as she would go to their homes for Sunday dinners, help with yard work, hang out with grandkids, go out to eat, and go shopping.
She was preceded in death by her parents Nellie and Kenneth, husband Bob, a daughter Renee, two sisters Mary and Gloria, brothers Harold, Bud and Bob
JoAnn is survived by her sons, Mike, Randy "George", and Melissa, Rick, and daughter, Bobbi. Grandchildren, Rick Jr. and Jill, Stephanie and Brandon, Savannah and Aaron, Lexi, Logan, Nicholas, Marci and Charlie, Tara, Oksana, Misha, Ina, and Victoria. great grandchildren, Nellie, Norah, Hudson, Adalynn, Kamden, Mabel Lynn, Viviana, Vinny, Charlie Ada Marie, Briggs Hudson, Harvey, Bella, and AJ.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
The family wants to give a special thank you to MercyOne Hospital. Appreciation for letting the family have time to be at peace with the passing of JoAnn. Also, a big thank you to Shawn, Funeral Director at Iles Funeral Home.
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