Susan Marie Russell

Susan Marie Russell, 70, of Port Orchard, died peacefully surrounded by family on April 7, 2019.

Please join us to celebrate Susan’s life on Sunday April 14, 2019 at Adventure of Faith between 4 and 6pm. Address as follows, 4705 Jackson Ave. SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366. https://www.google.com/maps/@47.5069666,-122.6108741,17z

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you consider donating, in Susan’s name, to Newborns In Need, One Heart One Mission: https://newbornsinneed.org/donate/ In many years of Susan’s career, she was dedicated to delivering new babies and helping new moms. This charity would be one that would be near and dear to her heart.

So, where does one even begin to start thinking about and writing an obituary to the one person who has been your universe your entire life? The one person that knows you the most from the inside and out, who gave you life, who dried your tears, who comforted in times of trouble, who was there for you and supported you no matter what, who picked you up when you were down, who is your best friend, who bailed you out of trouble with no questions asked, who…….I could go on and on and on. I guess I can start with the basics. Susan was born to Harold and Mary (Van Dell) Russell on April 15, 1948 in Cheyenne, WY. She had hair thick and black as coal, to the point that her parents questioned if she was even theirs. Growing up in a military family, she and her family experienced many adventures by living in places such as, Africa and Germany. One story in particular, that she recently shared with me is the story of them eating at this restaurant in Kasbah when she was about 7 or 8. You could choose to eat as a traditional meal or with a spoon, they chose traditional of course! What does that mean you ask? They had to use 2-3 fingers to pick up their food, make it into a ball and pop it in their mouth while trying to avoid touching their mouth. They enjoyed eating orange chicken surrounded by veggies and couscous, and they used bread for a napkin. At one point during the meal, she had to use the restroom but her mother warned her that she will not see the bathroom in the traditional sense, but she had to go, so off they went. Well, as you can imagine, there was no plumbing and just a hole to use. She remained brave and took in the experience. She made it sound as if it was something like a urinal, which I can only imagine what that would be like for a girl’s bathroom! But, it’s all part of the experience, right? In my curiosity, I researched and I can only say search the internet for a “Moroccan Squat Toilet” and you’ll get the idea. They followed up the meal with some mint tea, which she raved about. What’s great about this story is there is an awesome picture of my mom’s parents and her sister, Carol in traditional garb that captured the experience. I had seen the picture, but I never knew the story behind it until now, I’m so grateful I got to hear that story first hand before she passed.

Ok, on to the more general stuff, I guess……..she graduated High School in 1966 from Clovis New Mexico and went on to nursing school in Laramie, Wy, where she earned her RN degree. While in nursing school, she met Steve Crecelius, whom she married in 1970. They then moved to Rapid City, SD where she started working at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Soon after arrived their first child, Paul Crecelius, in 1971. Number two, Cindy (Crecelius) Myhre, arrived in 1976. She continued to work for Rapid City Regional up until her move to Belle Fourche, SD, with her second husband Bill Tesch in the fall of 1986. There she continued to work as a nurse in many forms from home health, to ICU, and back to labor and delivery (her passion and strength as a nurse). She and Bill later moved to Brookings, SD and then on to Minneapolis, MN, metro. In 2007 she moved to California and finished her career as a traveling nurse. After retirement, she moved back to Minnesota for a few years then made her final move to Port Orchard, WA.

Now on to more fun stuff and what really made my mom beloved by so many, her stories. During my last visit I had the pleasure to sit down with her and remanence about some of her life stories and what she enjoyed so much about life. One of the funniest stories that we talked about and one that she brought up several times over the years, is the story of the pizza crust dough that was stuck to the ceiling. Well, you see, my grandfather was quite the pizza chef as he always claimed… and tried to spin it like a pro, the next thing they knew it was stuck to the ceiling. They didn’t have enough time to take care of it before my grandmother was due home, so like any dad would say, “don’t tell your mother……”. As they were sitting down eating dinner, she and her sister obviously could not control their staring at the ceiling and giggling. Well, it didn’t take long and the pizza dough fell to the ground and they were busted. She also talked about when her dad dressed up like Santa Claus, and she had to let everyone know that was her Daddy. She reminisced about several stories from her childhood, again, many adventures that they got to be part of and do. When I asked her what story about Paul she enjoyed, she brought this up………Paul came downstairs in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt for church. She said, “Absolutely NOT!!!” and told him to go back upstairs and change. She was all about your “Sunday Best” and that you be dressed up to attend church. So, after a stink, he went back upstairs to change. In the meantime, I came downstairs in a jean skirt, of which she was ok with because it was a skirt. As you can imagine, my brother was furious. “How can she go to church in that but I can’t wear jeans?”, my brother clambered on about? My mom’s reply was simple, “if you want to go to church in a jean skirt, you can”. At first, I was a little puzzled as to why she would bring that up as a fond / funny memory about Paul, but the more I think about it and now knowing my brother’s reaction to it, the funnier I think that story really is and how much of a kick she probably got out of it from a mom’s perspective. The story she came up with me was an obvious one and I was not surprised by it. Mine came from when she was letting me learn how to drive and practice before I actually got my license. We were driving on Interstate-90 going between Rapid City and Belle Fourche, during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally mind you. As all experienced drivers know and are aware of, there is that thing called the blind spot but as an in-experienced teenager I was oblivious to that. Well, I almost drove a biker off the road and am very lucky not to have caused an accident. As you can imagine, he was not enthused and he royally chewed me to pieces as he passed by. I was horrified but mom remained calm and talked me through it, I was able to continue driving on. I’m really surprised she let me drive again!! Another story that we talked about was one I got to share with her, this being her most significant accomplishment, besides having us kids of course, is when she got a hole-in-one while golfing one day. She swung and I watched it go in the hole. She asked me where it was and I said in disbelief that it went into the hole. She didn’t believe me, but it did………that was fun to witness!

Favorite hobbies: Reading, games, movies, bingo, cards, cross word puzzles, crocheting, knitting, bowling, golfing, walking around fairs / flea markets, auctions, square dancing
Favorite music: The Beatles (especially Ringo), ABBA, Neil Diamond, and John Denver.
Favorite flower: Tulips and Sweet Peas
Favorite color: RED, RED, and RED………did I say RED?
Favorite sayings: Polly Wolly Doodle all the Day (aka Paul) and Honeytoad (aka Cindy)
Pets: Major Russell, Boomer, Brett, Chrissy, and Channie. She loved dogs and had one most of her adult life.
Favorite movie: A Night to Remember and Gone with the Wind
Favorite poet: Robert Frost
Favorite author: Stephen King
Favorite scripture: The Book of Mark and Philippians, chapter 4, verse 9
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

She loved life and as she states it was, “Absolutely wonderful most of the time, 10% terrible or eh”. Most of all her mission in life was to live, love, and help others. She was cherished by so many and those who knew her knows that joy and zest she brings. She brightens up the room with her laughter, cheer and her stories. Thank you, mom, for all the sacrifices and the joy that you have brought my life, Paul’s life, you will be truly missed by so many!!! We love you!!!

She is survived by her son, Paul and Teri Crecelius of Port Orchard, WA; her daughter, Cynthia (Crecelius) and Mark Myhre of Lakeville, MN; 5 grandchildren, Alexander Crecelius (22), Sean Crecelius (14), Conner Crecelius (9), Tegan Crecelius (9), and Elizabeth Myhre (4); sister Carol Milligan of Gig Harbor, WA; nephew, David and Shannon Szatkowski of Boise, ID; former husbands Robert (Steve) Crecelius and William (Bill) Tesch; and Major Russell, her puppy. She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Mary Russell.

May Susan’s soul rest in everlasting peace.