Elsie Russett, 97, of Fairbank, passed away July 29, 2019 at Mercy One Living Plus in Oelwein, Iowa, surrounded by family.  Elsie was born in Locust Grove, West Virginia, the daughter of Marshall and Euruth (Kelly) Guseman.  After graduating from high school, she attended nurses’ training in Morgantown, WV.   Upon graduation, she worked as a hospital and office nurse in Morgantown.  She joined the U.S. Army as a nurse, achieving the rank of Captain, and spent part of that time in Italy.  While stationed together at Fort Leonard Wood, she met her future husband, Alan Russett.  They were married in 1957 in Morgantown, WV.  They lived in Iowa City, Oelwein, Creston, Anamosa, Iowa Falls, and Fairbank.  Elsie worked in Anamosa as a school nurse.  She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, an active member of the Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552, and the United Methodist Church.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend.  She was an artist, seamstress, den mother, quilter, gardener, great cook, and loved to spend time with her friends and her family near and far.

Preceded in death by: her parents; son James; husband Alan; siblings Virginia, Dorothy, Dale, and Betty.

Survivors: Dan (Maureen), son; Linda (Jeff) Fries, daughter-in-law; four grandchildren: Emily, Erica (Sam) Paulsen, Maria, and Timothy.

Services: Sat Aug 10, at 11am at United Methodist Church in Fairbank

Visitation: Fairbank Methodist Church, Sat Aug 10, from 9-11am (two hours prior to services)

Military Rites:  Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552

Inurnment: West Virginia National Cemetery

Memorials: in lieu of flowers can be directed to the United Methodist Church, Fairbank