Russell Fitzgerald, 88

 

Jan. 4, 1930 —
March 24, 2018
 
Cresco - Russell Wayne Fitzgerald, age 88, of Lime Springs, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home with his loving wife by his side on Saturday, March 24, 2018.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 27 at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, Iowa from 4-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at United Methodist Church in Cresco, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, March 28. There will be a one-hour visitation at the church prior to the funeral service. A luncheon at McAllister’s Heritage Events Center will follow the funeral. Burial will be held at a later date at Lime Springs’ Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
He was born Jan. 4, 1930 outside of Lime Springs to Frank and Frances (Barrett) Fitzgerald. He, his sister, Vivian, and his parents moved when he was 11 years old, to 5198 Saint Avenue, which became the family’s three-generation farm.
Russell attended Bonair Country School and helped out on the family farm year-round. He served his country in the United States Army from 1953-1955, during the Korean Conflict, and was Honorably Discharged with the ranking of Corporal. He met Therma Marie Cornwell at the Terp Ballroom in Austin, Minn., and they continued their love of dancing for many years. They were united in marriage on Sept. 22, 1961 in Dexter, Minn. at the Methodist Church. This union was blessed with four children, Sheila, Sharlene, Alyssan and Ronald. The family attended Bonair United Methodist Church until it closed in 1987 and then joined Zion United Methodist Congregation.
Russell had a lifelong love of farming, dancing to old-time music and playing cards. He enjoyed the company of family, friends, his nine grandchildren and his three great-grandchildren. He and Therma spent their 56 years together doing what they loved most, traveling the world. The duo visited Germany, Holland, Ecuador and Ireland, along with their annual trips to the Amana Colonies and Branson, Mo. 
Russell also had the opportunity to travel on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in September 2015. He spent many of his days at home restoring his 1959 Chevy Impala, in which he and Therma began their courtship. He continued through his life attending his grandchildren’s events and being their biggest supporter. He enjoyed woodworking. He often made rocking chairs for his grandchildren and crosses for many. Russell was also a board member for the Howard County Mutual Insurance for 39 years.
He is survived by the love of his life, Therma; his children, Sheila (Steve) Freese of Grundy Center, Iowa, Sharlene Sullivan of Ames, Iowa, Alyssan (Chris) Romesburg of Bondurant, Iowa and Ron (Tina) Fitzgerald of Lime Springs; son (foreign exchange student, 1987-1988) Roberto Cedeno of Quito, Ecuador; his sister, Vivian Grace Elder; his grandchildren, Evan (Emily) Freese, Bryan Freese, Erik (Kaitlynn) Freese, Mikayla Sullivan, Clayton Sullivan, Devon Carroll, Laine Fitzgerald, Madison Fitzgerald, Alivia Romesburg and Sofia Romesburg; and his great-grandchildren, Bentley, Kaylor and Axel Freese.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Frances Fitzgerald; brother-in-law, Allen Elder; nephew, Raymond Elder; father and mother-in-law, Donald and Julia Cornwell; and son-in-law Ronald Kuennen.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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