RUSSELL, Barbara J.

Barbara J. Russell, 61, of Grand Island, died Friday, May 12, 2006 at the Skilled Care Unit of the St. Francis Medical Center. Memorial services will be on Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Cheryl Lamb will officiate. Private family burial will take place at the Grand Island City Cemetery. Mrs. Russell’s body was cremated. The family will be present on Tuesday from 4:00 until 7:00 P.m. at the funeral home to greet friends. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Russell was born on October 10, 1944 in Grand Island to Clifford & Arlene (Petersen) Alderson. Survivors of the immediate family include her husband, Richard Russell of Grand Island; one son, Todd Russell of Doniphan; one daughter, Keri Russell of Grand Island; one brother, Richard L. Alderson of Lincoln; her step-mother, Bernice Alderson of Denver, Colorado; mother-in-law, Dora M. Tucker of Grand Island; Brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert & Mary Lou Russell of Grand Island. Additional survivors include numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Russell received her education in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1962. She attended Kearney State College and graduated in January, mid-term, 1966 with a BA in Education and later received a degree as a Reading Specialist. She was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. Barbara married Richard Russell on August 21, 1965 in Grand Island. Mrs. Russell began teaching in the Grand Island Public Schools in January, 1966. The couple moved to Lincoln in 1968 and she taught elementary education in the Lincoln Public Schools from 1968-1970. The couple returned to Grand Island, and Barbara began teaching at the Lincoln Elementary School from 1971 until 1979. She was actively involved the Title 1 reading program. She then became a member of the Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. Barbara then began a family owned franchise business in 1979 and was active with this until 1989. Barbara and Richard traveled internationally until 1990 and she then began teaching the Title 1 Reading Program at Dodge Elementary School. She received her Master’s of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane College in 1992. Barbara received the Grand Island Public School District Outstanding Service to Students award in 2000; the Sam’s—Wal-Mart Award for Teacher of the Year in 2000. She also received national recognition for HOSTS (Help One Student to Succeed) mentoring program Award for exemplary suite three years in a row. She was also program coordinator for the Central Community College Pre-Student teaching experience & observation program at Dodge School. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church; the Nebraska Education Foundation; the National Wildlife Federation; and the Saddle Club. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Robert Alderson; and one sister-in-law, Diane Mertz Alderson.