Funeral services for Mary Russell, 78, of Jefferson, will be 10:30am. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, will burial at the Jefferson Cemetery.

Friends may call at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson between 8:00am – 9:00pm Monday, where the family will be present to greet friends between 7:00 -9:00pm Monday. 

Mary Margaret Balcom Russell was born on April 1, 1928, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Leonard Crowther Balcom and Marjorie Wells Balcom. She graduated from Sioux City Central High School in 1946 and the University of Iowa in 1950.   

After graduation, Mary began a career as a child welfare worker in Grinnell for the Iowa Department of Social Services. This vocation led her to Jefferson in 1952 where she worked at the Greene County Courthouse. She married Robert "Tiny" Russell in Sioux City on May 28, 1955.

Mary was a homemaker from 1956 until the early 1970s. She spent those years raising Richard, Marjorie and Rob. After "Tiny" died in 1970, Mary worked at the Jefferson Manor in social services. She later operated the Lunch Box Cafe in downtown Jefferson.

Mary loved the Iowa Hawkeyes (Iowa Fights!) and was proud of Central High School (Maroon and White! Maroon and White! Fight! Fight! Fight!). She was passionate about genealogy which led to many friendships across the country. Mary was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority for many years and the United Methodist Women, contributing to the recycled greeting card project. She also volunteered for Hospice by providing respite care.     

Mary Russell died on February 2, 2007, at the Bayard Nursing and Rehab Center after a short stay. She was preceded in death by her husband, infant son Roger and parents. Her survivors include son Richard and wife Cathy of Dubuque; daughter Marjorie and husband Mark Peckumn of Jefferson; son Rob of Jefferson; granddaughters Nicole Peckumn of Des Moines and Stephanie Peckumn of Ankeny and grandson Evan Russell of Dubuque. Additional survivors include her brother Leonard C. Balcom of Cedar Rapids; cousin James "Jim" McCall and wife Mary Love of Santa Rosa, CA; sister-in-law Pat Eberle and husband Duane of Scranton; sister-in-law Barb Kendall and husband William "Bill" Kendall; brother-in-law Kenny Russell and wife Loy all of Jefferson; numerous nieces, nephews; great nieces and nephews, extended family and many caring friends.

Memorials in Mary's honor can be sent to the Greene County Medical Center Foundation or the Greene County Genealogy Society.