Obit: Roels, Edna Russell (1900 - 1973)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Roels, Wegner, Tragsdorf, Russell, Beseler, Roberts, Herbert, Grinde, Pearce, Schillers, Clark

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 6/28/1973

Roels, Edna Russell (9 May 1900 - 25 June 1973)

Funeral services are to be held this (Thursday) afternoon at 1:30 from the United Church of Christ for Mrs. Edna Russell Roels, 73, who died Monday, June 25, at her home in Neillsville. The Rev. Gary Clark will officiate and interment will be made in the Neillsville City Cemetery.

Eastern Star services were to be conducted Wednesday evening at the Georgas Funeral Home, where the body of Mrs. Roels was to be in state until taken to the church Thursday noon to lie in state there until time of services.

Mrs. Roels, the daughter of Bernhardt and Bertha (Wegner) Tragsdorf was born May 9, 1900, in Neillsville and was educated in local schools, graduating from Neillsville High School. She attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and taught physical education at Lapeer, Mi., and at Marshfield.

Her marriage to Art Russell took place October 23, 1923, in Neillsville. The Russell’s operated the Gamble store for many years before purchasing Schiller’s, which they operated as Russell’s Hardware and Furniture store. The store is now owned by a daughter and son-ion-law Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Roberts.

Mr Russell preceded his wife in death in 1945, and she retired in 1955. Her marriage to Carlton Roels took place in Neillsville in 1963. Mr. Roels died in 1970.

Mrs. Roels was a member of the United Church of Christ, a 50-year member of Carmi Chapter No. 60, Order of the Eastern Star, and a member of the past Matrons club of the OES. She had also served as a Job’s Daughters guardian, was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was a charter member of the Business and Professional Women’s club.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. William (Marcia) Beseler of Woodruff, Mrs. Glenn (Willmette) Roberts of Neillsville and Mrs. Richard (Bobbette) Herbert of Grand Ledge, Mi.; two sisters, Mrs. Elsie Grinde of Madison and Mrs. Lillian Pearce of Ruston, La.; and by nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.