Ouida M. Russell, 88

Ouida M. Russell, 88, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2008.

Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008, at the Pack River Cemetery. Pastor Ken Smith, First Baptist Church, will officiate.

Ouida was born in Arboles, Colo., on April 1, 1920, the daughter of Joseph and Ella Melrose. She attended schools in Colorado and graduated from high school in Pagosa Springs, Colo.

She married Jack D. Russell on March 7, 1947 in Aztec, N.M., and then moved to the Sandpoint area living on the Center Valley Road.

She began her nursing career at Bonner General Hospital in 1947. She was a breast cancer survivor, being diagnosed in 1980 and then living for 28 years. For many years she worked on the Bonner County Election Board in Colburn and was a member of the Chatter Bees and the Center Valley Birthday Club. She was active in the Kootenai School PTO and was a past president.

Ouida enjoyed her family, gardening, her flowers, sewing, and was also a great cook.

She is survived by her daughter Cathy Walter of Big Lake, Alaska; her granddaughter, Debbie (Smoot) Tidwell in Pocatello, Idaho; a great-grandson Kason Tidwell in Pocatello; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; a daughter, Omerita; brothers, Guy Melrose and Hugh Melrose; and her sisters, Dell Tinnin and Lola Snow.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen, for the cure;5005 LBJ Freeway, Ste 250; Dallas, TX 75244; or to the Hearthstone Village (previously the BeeHive) in memory of Ouida Russell.

Family and friends are invited to sign Ouida’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.