Florence A. Russell

Florence A.  Russell, 87, of Olathe, KS, completed her long journey home, surrounded by family, on November 17th, 2017, at Santa Marta Retirement Community in Olathe, KS.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Gene Russell, earlier this year.  Seldom separated, they built their life around each other and family. During the last 20 years of marriage Gene faithfully cared for Florence, tending to her every need.  It is not surprising they are joined together again after just a brief period of apart.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Ellen Sippel (Greg), Overland Park, KS; daughter, Gale Hansen (Jim), Shawnee, KS; grandsons Travis Morris, Lawrence, KS and Chris Hansen, Seattle, WA; granddaughters, Lauren Hansen (Shane Johnston), Seattle, WA, Elizabeth Hansen Shawnee, KS, and Kathryn Hansen, Seattle, WA.

Florence was the sixth and last child of Mary Ellen and Fredrick Nightingale, making her, yes - Florence Nightingale. She had five older brothers, now all deceased. Florence was born at home in Watts, OK, on December 23, 1929.  Her brother Dale claimed if she had been the first child, there would have been no other children.  She grew up on a small farm in Watts, Oklahoma.  Living on a farm meant chores, and her responsibilities included milking the cows and delivering milk before school.  Her lifelong love of animals especially horses, dogs, and cats, took root in her early childhood. Also while still in grade school, she played on the Watts High School basketball team.

She graduated from Watts High School in 1947 in a class of four boys and six girls. She attended John Brown University for a year after high school and then moved with her parents to Pittsburg, Kansas.  She took a position as a legal secretary where she took dictation in shorthand and typed 140 words per minute.

At the same time, Gene Russell, a young man from her hometown and a classmate of her older brother, Morgan Earl, also moved to Pittsburg.  Soon after they were reacquainted, they fell in love and got married.  Shortly after, they expanded their family to include two daughters.  Florence was an expert seamstress, tailor-making nearly all the family's wardrobe.  She played the piano brilliantly and excelled in her role of wife and mother, volunteering to serve as a Girl Scout Leader and homeroom mom.  She was the resident typist for the family; with lightning speed she could transform everyone's handwritten homework assignments to perfect typed form on her IBM Selectric.  As a frequent slumber party chaperone, she earned the famed nickname Florence "Flashlight."

As their girls grew older, Florence returned to college at Pittsburg State University earning a Bachelor, Masters, and Specialist Education degrees.  She worked teaching business education and later as a paralegal for Kansas Legal Services.

While her husband ran cattle on their farm, Florence raised horses.  She specialized in the Paso Fino breed, a Spanish gaited horse.  Her barn was full of kittens and her house full of dogs.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Pittsburg and did volunteer work for Wesley House.

Florence had been in poor health for many years rendering her pleasantly confused during her last months.  Prior to her health issues she was a puzzle enthusiast.  She loved crosswords and all other word type puzzles.  She was a voracious reader, especially enjoying John Grisham and Scott Turow legal novels.  Until recent years, she was never without a pet.

The family would like to thank the staff at Kansas City Hospice and Santa Marta for the loving care she received during his last days.

It is requested that no flowers be sent, but donations may be made to Kansas City Hospice, www.kchospice.org/donate.

Florence will join her husband in eternal rest at Leavenworth National Cemetery.  Florence's life will be celebrated this spring at a date yet to be determined.