Lifetime Goodland, Kansas resident Jean Russell, 94, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023 at Topside Manor in Goodland.

Jean was born on January 20, 1929 in Goodland, Kansas the youngest of three children born to Heye and Mary Frerichs.   She attended school in Goodland and graduated with the class of 1946.  After high school she became a telephone operator as well as worked at Virtue’s Department Store.  She and R D Bob Russell were married on December 31, 1954 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.  Bob and Jean had 3 children Vickie Jean born in 1957, Shellie Sue born in 1958 and Robert Casey born in 1960. 

Jean became a full time homemaker but could drive a truck in the sugar beet field and drive that truck to the sugar beet factory, dump and head back for the next load.  During wheat harvest she was an ever present force cooking harvest meals and driving to the fields for a wonderful home cooked meal for the harvesters.   She was a very dedicated grandmother and child care provider for her grandchildren.  She loved animals, dogs and cats in particular, her yard, garden, and could stand on her head for hours pulling those darn weeds. Even though she might tell you cooking was not a favorite of hers she would serve up the best meals ever and her fried chicken was the absolute best including her coconut cream pies. 

Jean was a very strong wife, a special mother, a loving grandma and great grandma and will truly be missed by many. 

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Bob, her son in law Roger Crotinger, her sister Dorothy, her brother Bill and an infant grandson Derek Goodman.

She is survived by her children, daughter Vickie Crotinger, daughter Shellie Gausman (Randy), son Casey (Connie), her three grandsons, Lance (DeLisa )Goodman, Jerrod (Allie) Goodman, Ryan Gausman, her granddaughter Chelsie (Alex) Howard, five great granddaughters, Camdyn Goodman, Hartley Goodman, Landri Howard, Lakyn Howard, and Londyn Howard.  Bonus step grandchildren and great grandchildren, Nicolette (David) Waite and Katie (Rusty) Wickham, Ezra, Noah, Elayna and Alorah.