Betty M. Cross Obituary

Betty M. Cross, 88, of Russell, passed away on February 18, 2016. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Family will receive friends on Saturday from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Russell Historical Museum, Faith United Methodist Church in Russell, or Circle of Life Hospice/Legacy Lodge in Chariton.

Betty Marie Dixon, first child of Guy Walter Dixon and Lillie Audrey Ruble, was born November 30, 1927 in Des Moines, Iowa. They moved back to Lucas County where her sister, Jacqueline was born, then to Ottumwa, Iowa for several years and her brothers, Floyd Lee and Fred Ray, completed the family. In 1938 the Dixon’s returned to Russell where Betty attended Russell School, graduating from high school with the class of 1945.

On August 1, 1945 she was married to Carl Edward Cross. Carl was a seaman in the Navy, stationed in Seattle, Washington. A double wedding was held with his cousin Ray Stickler (also a Navy seaman) and Margaret Young of Mystic. The two couples remained close and celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversaries together in 1995.

Four children were born to Betty and Carl: Michael Douglas, Cathy Christine, William Patrick, and Timothy Gene. All the children completed their schooling in the Russell school system.

Betty was employed in a number of jobs over the years, including school bus driver, wallpaper hanger, waitress, and retail clerk. She also worked eleven years with the National Bank and Trust in Chariton. She retired from banking and took a driving course with Indian Hills Community College, receiving her certification to drive the semi-truck with Carl. They enjoyed ten years of travelling together from coast to coast and border to border.

Betty spent the first ten years of her “retirement” as a curator at the Lucas County Historical Museum. After “retiring” from the museum, Betty helped to establish the Russell Historical Museum.

Her joys were her family, gardening, quilting, reading, genealogy, and travel.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; son, Patrick; husband, Carl; and granddaughter, Melanie Sue.

She is survived by her children: Mike (Kathleen) Cross of Oelwein, Cathy (Fay Ryan) Downard of Bella Vista, AR, and Tim (Sheila) Cross of St. James, MO; 7 grandchildren: Matthew, Jeff, Scott, Misty, Jason, Seth, and Abby; 19 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and siblings: Jackie Andrews, Floyd Dixon, and Fred Dixon. 

Eula Curtis Obituary

Eula Bernice Curtis was born south of Russell, Iowa at home on March 29, 1921 to Ora Ola King Dewey and Clarence Melvin Dewey, and went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 13, 2016 at the age of 94. 

Eula went to country school and graduated from Russell High School. Following her graduation she took normal training, but teaching was not her desire. She held various jobs until she married Harold Elmo Curtis March 10, 1940. To this union, two daughters were born, Donna Moore (Truman) of Udell, IA and Patti Kies (Ron) of Chariton, IA. 

She was a stay at home mom for most of her children’s growing up years. When Patti was well along in high school, mom went to work for the Coop Insurance Agency and later was the manager at the Russell bank. At that time it was called First State Bank. 

God was always a part of her life in her employment. One day after Elmo came home from work she asked him if she was to go to work full-time, where would he like her to work. He commented that he thought the bank would be a nice place for her to work. She proceeded to tell him that very day the bank President’s wife had already asked her to come to work for her. 

Music was always in our home. Mom played the piano at Center Church not far from where she was born at the age of 16. She was either pianist or organist at the Russell Baptist Church for as long as either daughter remembers. Many weddings, funerals, and cantatas were accompanied by Mom and she played well into older life as long as she could. 

After both she and Elmo retired they purchased a camper and the highlight of their camping was a twice a year fishing trip to Bennett Spring State Park in Missouri with friends. They were able to camp with their children a few times and that was terribly important to them. 

After the death of her husband she followed his wishes and was able to take several bus trips to places she had only dreamed of before. 

Eula moved to Chariton about 4 years ago to the Southgate apartments where her daughter and husband lived so she could be taken care of easier. After a final fall it was decided that she could no longer care for herself and she resided in the Chariton Manor. Mom never quarreled at all when her daughters told her this seemed to be the only option at that time. 

She was so willing to try to get along and not cause them any problems. She lived at the manor for a little over a year and finished her life at the Legacy Lodge in Chariton. 

Mom was saved at an early age and she finished the race on February 13, 2016. She is now at home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While she will be greatly missed here, it is a comfort to know she can now walk, hear, laugh and meet family members who, like she, accepted the lord as their Savior, also. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and both of her brothers Melvin and Keith Dewey. She is survived by her daughters Donna Moore (Truman) of Udell, Iowa and Patti Kies (Ron) of Chariton, Iowa; also several nieces and nephews as well, as grand great great great nieces and nephews.

Donna Janice Sellers Obituary

Donna Janice Sellers was born on March 24, 1934 at the family farm in Oakley, IA to Ross and Mildred (Shelton) Welch. 

She was united in marriage to Thomas Sellers on July 23, 1955 in Nashua, IA. They lived in Des Moines for the first few years before moving to Lucas County, and to this union, three daughters were born: Cindy, Luanne, and Cassie. 

After graduating from Chariton High School, Donna worked for Bankers Life in Des Moines, IA and then worked part time at Chariton Floral. Donna retired from the Hy-Vee Warehouse in 2001. 

She was active with both the American Legion Auxiliary and the Donna's Club. 

Donna loved spending time outside in her garden tending her flowers. She always had a beautiful arrangement of Gladiolas, Irises, and Dandelions. She enjoyed bird watching, as Cardinals, Goldfinches, and Hummingbirds were some of her favorites. She assisted her daughters with their sewing 4-H projects. She had an enormous collection of turtle figurines. She loved to travel throughout the states, with destinations including Alaska, Hawaii, and Ireland. She was an excellent cook, known for her Angel Food Cake she made from scratch, her homemade Jellies, and her chicken and noodles and dumplings that she made for her grandchildren. 

Donna passed away January 29, 2016, at the age of 81 at the Lucas County Health Center in Chariton, IA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her sister Margaret, and her parents. 

She is survived by her children, Cindy Cox of Wilimington, NC, Luanne and Jim Bryant of Kahului, HI, and Cassie and Lance Masters of Chariton, IA. Her grandchildren, Ian and Tori Hager of Wilimington, NC, Micah Hager of Bellingham, WA, Phillip and Jacob Masters of Chariton, IA. And her Great-Granddaughter Lyllian Hager. One sister, Elizabeth Loney of Chariton, IA. Four brothers, Bill and Janice Welch of Oakley, IA, Jack and Marie Welch of Gilbert, AZ, Bud Welch and Sharon Allen of Chariton, IA, and Mike Welch of Williamson, IA, as well as many nieces , nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.