Esther Elaine (Bolton) Russell passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at the Griswold Care Center at the age of 90 years. Esther was born September 25, 1921, on a farm west of Elliott, IA, the daughter of Sheldon Ray and Myrtle Mae (Petty) Bolton. She graduated from Carson High School in 1939, received Normal Training, and taught one year in a country school. She married Lloyd Henry Russell on October 11, 1941, in Rockport, MO. Lloyd preceded her in death on October 31, 1989. Her parents; her twin sister Aneta Loraine, who died at birth; her sisters Lora Storm and Ruth Mikesell; and her brother Robert Bolton also preceded her in death.

Esther lived most of her adult life in the Kemling and Elliott communities. She and Lloyd moved from the farm to Elliott in 1972 and when her health began to fail, she moved in the Griswold Care Center where she has lived for the last 10 years.

Esther was a member of the Elliott United Methodist Church and enjoyed participating in a Kemling neighborhood women's group. She was a farm wife and Mother who enjoyed taking care of her family, her garden, her chickens, and her flowers. As a girl Esther won county spelling competitions and in her later years she enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, and journaling.

Esther is survived by her sons Dr. Kenneth Russell (Rosalie) of Austin, TX; John Russell (Nancy) of Macedonia, IA; and her daughter Judy Hinkle (Jon) of Bethany, MO; her five grandchildren: Cindy Bogard (Dan) of Austin, TX; Geoff Hinkle (Christa) of Kansas City, MO; Brenda Houser (Aaron) of Henderson, IA; Betsy McFadden of Atlantic, IA; and Robert Hinkle (Kali) of Austin, TX; also her 10 great-grandchildren: Clara and Audra Bogard; Rhiannon, Gwendolyn, and Sydney Hinkle; Russell, Adam, and Amanda Houser; and Molly and Mason McFadden. Also surviving are her sister Relda Armington of West Des Moines as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Esther will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the Central Church of Christ in Griswold, Aaron Albus officiating. Burial will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery at Oakland, IA. Open visitation will be held at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold; however, the family will not be present at any given time. Memorials are suggested to the Elliott Public Library.