Mette Russell left for heaven on Jan. 20, 2016. Her devoted husband was by her side at their home in Fairbanks. Mette's strength and courage helped her through a five year battle with pancreatic cancer. Her long fight was truly a result of her spirited optimism, deep faith, and the unmeasurable outpouring of love and care she received from her family and huge circle of friends.
Mette is the daughter of Dave and Anne Speilberg who emigrated from Norway to Suntrana in 1952 and were working for Healy Coal Mine at the time they started having children. Mette was born in Fairbanks at Saint Joseph's Hospital in 1955. The family moved from Suntrana to Fairbanks in 1963 and lived in Island Homes for 36 years. Mette attended Nordale, Main Junior High, Lathrop High School and UAF. She started working for Fluor in 1976 where she met Larry Russell. In 1977 they married, and, shortly afterwards, Larry was transferred to Isfahan, Iran for two years, taking his beautiful bride, Mette, with him. It was a great way to forge the beginning of a 39 year marriage with a strong foundation built to last a lifetime.
Upon returning to Fairbanks from Iran, Mette gave birth to their daughter, Kiersten Marie Russell, and after her birth, life was truly complete for Mette. She worked for the Alaska Court System for 25 years and retired as jury clerk supervisor at age 55. During this time she was awarded employee of the year.
Larry surprised her with a 60th birthday party last year which was well attended by many of her life-long friends, and that special event will continue to hold treasured memories forever. She was a member of the local Sons of Norway Chapter, Pioneers of Alaska, Fairbanks Lutheran Church, and she founded the Birch Hill Cemetery clean-up committee. In her spare time, Mette enjoyed time with her family at Birch Lake, motorhome trips, fishing in Valdez and the Kenai River, hunting, picking blueberries, gardening, and vacationing in Hawaii.
Mette was truly a Viking throughout her crusade with cancer. She will be deeply missed by family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dave and Anne Speilberg; son Robert Russell, and grandchild Nicholaus.
She is survived by her husband, Larry; daughters Kiersten, Renee, Sharlene, son James, sisters Linda Bustamante and Tina Speilberg (Watts), niece Kari, nephews Mitch and Jake, grandchildren Shannon, Lance, Shantel, Samantha, and numerous great-grandchildren, all of whom she cherished .
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Feb. 5 at Fairbanks Lutheran Church, 1012 Cowles Street. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Shriners Children Hospital in memory of "Lady Mette Russell."
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Published by Daily News-Miner on Jan. 28, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Mette Russell

27 Entries

Nancy Clayton Petersen

January 22, 2022

Legacy sent out a reminder that today, SIX YEARS AGO, Metta passed away. So sad to have her life shorter than it could have been. Life moves forward no matter what goes on, so while those who knew and loved Metta miss her, a lot has happened in the past six years. I hope Metta´s family have had many happy times and adventures and that their lives built some good stuff into the fabric of their reality.
God bless you all and the memory of Metta.
Nancy Clayton Petersen (school friend)

Tracy L Blais

January 22, 2022

You will always be in my heart...miss you so much Mette!

Joy Berger

February 10, 2016

Linda, so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister. It sounded like she was a wonderful "Fairbanks" girl, as that Alaskan city produces good stock! My prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family.Hugs to you....joy (Hough) Berger

Nancy Clayton

February 9, 2016

Went to High School with Mette and Linda--and it's true that her smile preceded her. "Beaming" no matter what-that's just how she was. After high school the years have passed by and I don't know much of her life, successes, challenges, and suffering, but reading these comments from those who knew her well makes me wish I had kept in touch. What a great sister, mother, step-mother, and wife!! Hold on to the memories and hold on to each other.

Beverly Brees

February 6, 2016

Mette was a sweet, sweet person. I didn't know her well, but I don't think I ever saw her without a smile. My condolences to her family.

Brenda

February 5, 2016

I was blessed to have Mette as a friend

February 5, 2016

I was blessed to have Mette as a friend...

Brenda

Dixie Gillespie

February 5, 2016

Mette was my hero. Her spirit, her faith, her courage, her family and her many friends all combined to bring her through very difficult times. Especially Larry, her knight in shining armor.
I will always love you, Mette. You are now with the angels.

Kelly Carr

February 4, 2016

You were like a second mother to me, and I'll never take for granted the time I shared with you and the lessons you taught me about life. You live on through Kiersten and I'm blessed to call her and Larry family. Love you guys

Shaune

February 4, 2016

Tina and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Mette had a fighting spirit, and her passing touches my heart in ways I can't explain.

February 3, 2016

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

nansi and mike norum

February 3, 2016

larry and russell/speilberg families,
mette's smile lit up a room. may her memories stay near and dear to your hearts. blessings to her.

Rosanna-Mike-Tyler-Vegas Vondra

February 3, 2016

The Larry Russell Family-
Thinking of you at this time. God Bless you and we will always have the wonderful memories of Mette.

Sandy Duncan

February 2, 2016

She was always a happy soul. I loved her smile and laughter. I will always remember our crazy days in Lathrop Hall. Thank you Metta for those memories.

February 1, 2016

Rick and I were very saddened by the news of Mette's passing. She was an extraordinary woman. We will always remember her for her courage, her zest for life, her smile, and her kindness. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

February 1, 2016

You were the sister of my heart. I love you Mette and will miss you dearly.

Mary Jo (MJ)

Marilyn Toupe

January 30, 2016

May your many special memories be a source of comfort and strength as you face the times ahead. Mette was a special lady, for sure. I don't know that I ever saw her without a smile no matter the challenge of the day. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Tracy Blais

January 30, 2016

My prayers to all the family and my heartfelt thanks for the enduring care and dignity you gave Mette right through to the end.
The amazing inner strength that she had has been an inspiration to so many of us. Cancer may have taken her body but she would not let it take her soul. I am honored and blessed to be called her friend. She will continue to live on in our hearts. Rest in peace my dear friend and know you will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Love you...until we meet again.

Ginnie Watts & Family

January 29, 2016

Those we love don't go away
They walk beside us every day
Unseen, unheard but always near
Still loved, still missed and very dear.

Bruce & Susan Cunningham

January 29, 2016

Dearest Larry & Kiersten, our deepest sympathy in your loss of Mette. She was truly one of a kind...gentle..genuine ...beautiful soul. She will always be in our hearts. Your comfort will be in our prayers. With love, Bruce & Susan Cunningham

Dan Gilbertson

January 29, 2016

Great picture of Mette. Full of life , optimism and a great smile . My thoughts and prayers pour out to her family .

lisa and keith watts

January 29, 2016

Our heartfelt love and support to you all during this difficult, sad time. Losing someone so dear will take time to heal. May you all find your way along this journey of grief with Metta's kind guidance.
love, lisa and keith watts

Sharlene Russell

January 29, 2016

I was truely blessed with the best 2nd mother that anyone could ask for. She accepted me and my siblings as if we were hers and never treated us any different. She meant the world to our family and life will be different without her around. I remember when I was in 8 th grade living here and she took me berry picking and there we were picking away and down the hillside comes this bear so upset and boy did we run. I loved her truely as my mom even if she didn't give birth to us.I love you Mette and will always hear you say "oh Larry". You will be missed but never forgotten .Love forever and a day,
Sharlene

Sharon Berrian

January 28, 2016

Words can't convey our sorrow for Mette's family. She was an angel of a woman. She was always a smiling bright star. I treasure my years of friendship with her. She fought bravely.

Larry, we're in AZ and can't attend her service but she is my thoughts.

Sarah Short

January 28, 2016

I didn't know Mette but I know some of her family and I know how hard it was to watch her go and watch her fight cancer. May you all take peace in knowing she fought hard, loved deep, and was loved by many and that her suffering is over. You are in my thoughts.

January 28, 2016

My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May prayers strengthen you and memories comfort you, and may our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loves us, comfort your hearts and "make you firm". (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17)Saj

Susie

January 28, 2016

Please accept my deepest condolences for the recent loss of your loved one. Death is a tragic "sting" to the living. May you find comfort in knowing that those who die, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. Psalms 116:15

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