Esther Lillian Russell, age 94 years and 11 months, died on June 3, 2018 at Long Term Care in WaKeeney.

Esther was the 11th child of 12 of Alexander and Katharina Elisabeth (Flath) Graf. The first 3 children of Alexander and Katharina Graf were born in Neu Weimar, Russia --- Esther was born in Wiley, Colorado.

Esther attended grade schools in Marion & Dickinson counties and like all her siblings, took first grade twice --- the first year to learn English, the second year to learn first grade.

Esther attended high school in Longford, KS and was the second in her family to graduate from high school. Esther studied NORML training in high school, but suffered from rheumatic fever her first year out of high school so never did teach, although she always remembered her NORML training.

Esther’s siblings were all in Milwaukee, WI by 1943, so Esther went there also and worked in factories supplying arms for WW II. Esther was laid off like everybody else on the last day of WW II, and she returned to Clay County, KS. On February 24, 1948, Esther Lillian Graf married Johnnie William Russell in the parson’s home in Longford, KS.

Johnnie and Esther lived in Talmage, then moved to Colby in 1955, then to Collyer in 1960, and to WaKeeney in 1967. Esther was a homemaker until 1964. She then worked in the Quinter and WaKeeney hospitals, then Travenol in Hays, and then Johnnie and Esther opened the Thrift Shop next to their home and Esther ran that for several years.

Esther enjoyed crocheting, knitting, sewing, quilting, gardening, her fruit trees, western movies, genealogy, making Bierrocks & Schlagerbam, and collecting antiques along with her husband of nearly 70 years, Johnnie William Russell. Johnnie passed on February 16, 2018.

Esther is survived by daughter Sharon LeCount, son Warren, a granddaughter, 2 greatgrandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Interment will be in the Veteran’s Cemetery in WaKeeney.

The family will hold a private service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift to the Trego County Historical Society or the Trego Community High School, or to do a small favor for a friend or a complete stranger.