Mary "Marie" Mathilda Russell

Mary “Marie” Russell, 97, Emporia, Kansas, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2023 in Emporia, KS.

Mary “Marie” Mathilda Wendling was born in Olpe, Kansas on May 19, 1926, the daughter of Seraphin Fredrick and Anna Dorothy (Fitzpatrick) Wendling.  She married Willis Clayton Russell at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Emporia on May 1, 1948. He died April 11, 1984.  Marie is survived by daughters; Shirley (Mike) Langley, Olpe, KS, Jean (Bob) Schif, Derby, KS, sons; James “Jim” (Donna) Russell and Jerome “Jerry” (Julie) Russell, both of Emporia, KS,  Anthony “Tony” (Lisa) Russell, Wichita, KS, brothers; Seraphin J. “Sonny” Wendling, Lebo, KS, Joseph “Joe” Wendling, Olpe, KS, and John Wendling, Topeka, KS, sisters; Elizabeth “Betty” Lutz Black, Wylie, TX, and Dorothy Blaufuss, Olpe, KS, grandchildren; Shannon (Kevin) Brokaw, Preston (Dee) Langley, C.J. ”Christopher” (Angie) Russell, Jennifer (Ryan) Naylor, Kristie (Lamont) Schmidt, Meribah (Jake) Zirkle, Kirk (Chelsea) Combes, Aaron, Ashlee, and Jacob Schif, Baylee (Keaton) Holmes, Joshua, Claire, and Jameson Russell, 16 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters; Lucille Trear, Theresa Coble, and brother; Father Francis Wendling, and great-granddaughter; Reese Naylor.

Marie was a homemaker, a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Emporia, the Altar Society of the church, Emporia Friends of the Zoo, Lyon County Historical Society, RSVP, and many other volunteer organizations.

Mass Of Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Emporia. Mass will be celebrated by Father Carter Zielinski of the church. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery south of Emporia.   The Rosary will be recited at the church Friday evening, October 20 at 5:30.  The family will receive friends for an hour after the service.

The family requests no flowers. Contributions in Marie’s memory may be given to the Church or Reese Naylor Fund with the Emporia Community Foundation sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas, which is in charge of arrangements.