Ellen Cordelia (DeLoy) Russell, 80, passed away on September 23, 2018 at her home in Valley City, ND. She was surrounded by family. Ellen was born July 4, 1938 in Cheboygan, MI to Ben and Ina (Welton) DeLoy.

On April 19, 1958, she married Charles L. Russell. They moved to Kansas, where they had 5 children. Later, they returned to Michigan and had two more children. Their home was made on a small farm outside of Union City, MI for many years. The couple divorced in 1983. At that time, Ellen and the two youngest children moved to Kansas, where she worked at a nursing home, a restaurant, and IBP.

In 1994, she gave up all she had to move with her daughter to help with kids. She lived in Virginia, Nebraska, and Mississippi and back to Michigan, where she worked in a factory, retiring in 2009. In 2011, she moved to Valley City, ND.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; ex-husband, Charles; brothers, David, Louie, and Edward; sisters, Patricia, Betty, and Beatrice; and two sons, Benjamin and Gene.

She is survived by a sister, Lila Preseau of Cheboygan, MI; brothers, Jack (Linda) DeLoy and Ted (Avis) DeLoy of Cheboygan, MI; children, David (Kathy) Russell of Valdosta, GA, Charles Russell of Mora, MN, Ina Strang of Union City, MI, Cherie (Tim) Fiebiger of Valley City, ND, and Teresa (Kevin) Schiffner of Adrian, ND; 17 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren with another great granddaughter on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

Ellen loved her pets very much, especially her cats. She loved to cook for anyone, especially for family gatherings, and it was ALWAYS very good. She worked hard all her life and never asked for anything. She knitted beautiful afghans, which she always gave away. Ellen was the kind of person who would help anyone that she could, even if it meant she went without. She is loved and will be dearly missed by many.

A memorial service for Ellen will be held in Michigan at a later date. Lerud-Schuldt-Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Ellen’s family with arrangements. An online guestbook is available at lerudschuldt.com