Calvin McCullough Death

The Russell Community was saddened to hear of the death of Calvin McCullough who died recently in Idaho.  He was the son of Ivan McCullough and Elaine McCullough

Calvin McCullough, 60, April 16, 1953 - May 31, 2013

On Friday, May 31, 2013, Cal passed away after a very short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Cal was born on April 16, 1953 and grew up in Russell, Iowa.  He  enjoyed telling stories about his first jobs of driving the garbage truck and doing maintenance at the cemetery.  After he graduated from Russell High School in 1971, Cal moved to North Idaho in 1974 where he met his wife Leah in 1977.  In 1981, Cal went to Anchorage, Alaska and returned to North Idaho in 1987 to start a family.  Cal enjoyed spending time with his family at their home in Hayden while also handling his own construction company, McCullough Construction.  Together they burned brush, played croquet and bocce ball and rode 4 wheelers around the property.  One of his favorite things to do was to go to Chiefs and Shock games with his daughters and friends.  Cal also spent a lot of time at his daughters' sporting events and helping his girls with their 4-H animals and projects.  He enjoyed hunting, camping, watching NASCAR and football and going to the flea market.

He is survived by his wife Leah, his oldest daughter and her husband, Danielle and Travis Miller, his middle daughter, Michelle, and his youngest daughter, Alissa.  He is also survived by his dad, Ivan McCullough of Russell, Iowa, his mom, Eleaine McCullough of Oskaloosa, Iowa, his brothers Arnan of Wichita, Kansas, Kevin (Cindi) of Russell, Iowa and Galen (Pam) of Chariton, Iowa and his sisters Jennine (Steve) Rex of Enumclaw, Washington, Mo White of Chariton, Iowa and Coleen McCullough of Oskaloosa, Iowa.  He was preceded in death by his brother Allan.

Margaret Ann (Kells) Kylander Obituary

Margaret "Ann" Kylander was born on September 22, 1922 in Russell (Lucas County) Iowa.  She was the eldest child of Glen A. Kells and Edythe M. Wright Kells.  Other children include Robert Kells (deceased), Wanda Kells Calderon and Husband Haim of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Jo Ke

lls DeBok and husband Charles of Boone, Iowa.

Ann was born on the family farm, Kells Acres Farm and attended the Pleasant Mound elementary school, about 1.5 miles walk from her home.  High school years were completed in Russell where she would ride three miles to town on her horse, Nell, a cantankerous mare that was always in the mood for kicking, making Ann the most experienced with horses in the family.  She would leave Nell in Great Grandma Margaret Ann Kells barn and walk onto school, not sure of what mischief Nell would get into while she was gone.  In the wintertime, Ann would drive to school in a one-horse sleigh, which is still in the family.  After high school graduation in 1939 she attended Iowa State College in Cedar falls, Iowa and received her teaching certificate.  She then taught 1st-4th grades in Randall, Iowa and the 4th grade in Glenwood, Iowa.  She began teaching at only 17 years of age.

In 1945, Ann decided she needed to move west to find someone to marry that she wasn't related to and settled in Powell, Wyoming with an aunt and uncle.  This is where she met John Francis Kylander, just home from the Navy and WWII.  John worked in a gas station and often took coffee breaks at a small cafe across the street where he met the "new first grade teacher in town".  The sparks flew and so goes the story and they were married on April 20, 1946 in Billings, Montana.  In 1948, son Jed A. was born and in 1950 the Kylander family moved to Cheyenne, Wyo. where "Francie" went to work with the Union Pacific Railroad as a switchman and later a brakeman.  In 1952 daughter Sue A. was born.  Ann continued teaching as a substitute teacher for many years and she also enjoyed visiting her children's classes now and then in elementary school.

Ann and Francie were members of the First Baptist Church in Cheyenne for more than 50 years.  She was a Sunday school teacher for many years and in their later years Ann and Francie volunteered in the nursery department during church services.  Ann also volunteered her time at the Eventide Nursing Home reading to the residents, fulfilling her joy of reading.

When Francie retired from the UP Railroad in 1983, after 33 years of service, they began to travel south for the winter months enjoying the warmer climates of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.  They would return to Cheyenne for the summer to enjoy hobbies of gardening, reading, family genealogy and spoiling the grandchildren.  In 2010, Ann and Francie moved to Kremmling, Colo to live with their daughter Sue.  John Francie passed away on March 3, 2010 at age 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.  Margaret Ann passed away on May 18, 2013 shortly after a stroke.

Ann is survived by her son, Jed and his wife Rosemary of Cheyenne and her daughter Sue and her husband Dennis Pratt of Kremmling, Colo.  She is also survived by three grandchildren and their spouses and six great-grandchildren; also her two sisters and many nieces and nephews.  Margaret Ann and John Francis Kylander will be interred at the Powell, Wyoming cemetery at a later time.

If friends and family would like to make a donation in Ann's memory, please make it to the Heart of the Mountains Hospice, P.O. Box 140, Hot Sulphur Springs, Colo.  80451.

Doris June (Bennett) Werts Obituary

Doris June Werts, age 87, of Knoxville, passed away Monday morning, May 20, 2013, at the Knoxville Hospital and Clinics of Knoxville, Iowa. Doris was born in Russell, Iowa, on June 3, 1925, the eldest child of Clell and Ruby (Kimler) Bennett. Doris was raised in rural Russell and graduated from Russell High School, Class of 1943. During high school Doris earned her normal training and after high school began to teach in country school near Russell.  Doris taught for two years before she and George Werts, Jr. were united in marriage on March 18, 1945 at the Methodist Parsonage in Chariton, Iowa. Doris and George shared 68 years of marriage together before Doris’ passing and were blessed with two children: Darrell and Kay. Doris enjoyed living in Russell, being a homemaker and raising her children. In 1951 George began working with the Knoxville V.A. Hospital and Doris and George moved their family to Knoxville. Doris was a homemaker for several years before working in several local stores in Knoxville. She was also a seamstress for many years, and helped her son with the Iowa Blind Commission. Doris was a member and always very active with the First United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and she enjoyed knitting. Doris and George were also active with the Red Rock Good Sam Camp Club. She was a great wife and a loving mother and grandmother. Doris is survived by her husband of 68 years George Werts, Jr. of Knoxville; their daughter, Kay (Rudy) Benki of Ankeny; four grandchildren: Kris (Kelli) DeBont, Kelli (Chris) Farley, Mason Benki and Eric Benki; three great-grandchildren: Blake, Paige and Chase; and two step great-grandchildren: Britney and Josh. Doris is also survived by one sister, Clarice (Ed) Erickson; and one Brother, Dale (Debbie) Bennett; several nieces, nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; their son, Darrell Werts and his wife Diane “Dee”; one great-grandson, Alex DeBont; and two sisters. Visitation for Doris will begin at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 23, 2013 at the Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville. Doris’ family will be present on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church of Knoxville, with Pastor Lane Riggle and Pastor Brent Hanna officiating. Burial will follow services at the Lincoln Cemetery of rural Knoxville. A memorial has been established in Doris’ name to the United Methodist Women or the Knoxville Hospital and Clinics Foundation. Condolences may be sent to Winfield Funeral Home. The Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville is assisting the family with arrangements. Visitation: Thursday, May 23, 2013 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM Winfield Funeral Home 202 E. Washington Knoxville, IA 50138 Service: Friday, May 24, 2013 11:00 AM First United Methodist Church 313 E. Montgomery Knoxville, IA 50138