Karen C. Russell

Karen Russell (Cozzi) graduated high school in 1966. She moved from Los Banos to Fresno in 1967. She went to college and graduated from Fresno City College and later Fresno State where she secured her AA in business with a minor in music. She married Dale Russell on August 29, 1971, in Los Banos, California in the United Methodist Church.

The Russell’s welcomed their first-born child, a son, Jeffrey Dale Russell in May of 1972. Later came their daughter, Renae Karen Russell in September of 1976. They kept her busy with soccer, school, and music classes. After cooking and cleaning all day in a school cafeteria, she happily came home to fix meals for the family of four.

As a family, we enjoyed going and participating in racing. Dale was an avid motor enthusiast. Karen was always supportive with his greatest passion. She would pack the campers and trailers with all things needed for the weekend getaway. She was Dale’s biggest supporter and fan!

Throughout her life, Karen never stopped learning new things. Karen had many talents including: piano, knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking, sewing, and was business savvy. These talents led her to pursue different paths. She worked as an insurance agent and bookkeeper for her Father-in-law, Mervin Russell at his Texaco and Mobile service stations. She went on to be the caretaker of her Mother-in-law, Ileen Lily Russell. All these selfless responsibilities were her passion, in addition to being a terrific mother and wife.

In 1985, Karen found her true passion, working for Clovis Unified’s Campus Catering. She was known to many as never needing the microphone in the cafeteria. She was happy to feed the thousands of children over her 30 years of employment. Karen was creative with her recipes and enjoyed sharing her recipes with her coworkers and catered many events for people at school and with family. She was always happy to feed everyone and always said, “I LOVE TO COOK.” And that she did whenever there was a family event.

Karen is survived by her husband, Dale M. Russell; her son Jeff Russell of Fresno, California; and her daughter Renae Pendola (Michael) of Fresno, California; her sister CeCe Bryant of Los Banos, California; and her fur baby Holly.

She is not only survived by her family, but also her best friends Karen, Joan, and Esther. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Krissy and Don Arburua, Louis and Heather Cozzi, Jimmy and Jen Cozzi, Brent and Michelle Bauer, Bob and Lisa Bryant, and Jared and Cece Rasberry.

Karen is preceded in death by her father Sicily Louis Cozzi and her mother Zelma Lillian Cozzi; her brother Anthony William (Bill) Cozzi and her twin sister Velda Kathy Cozzi.

Those that knew Karen, knew she was always feisty and loved to laugh! Her family would like to thank the many professionals at Clovis Community Hospital who never wavered on her care. Karen will be missed dearly and has left a big void in the hearts of her loved ones. We will love you always and forever!

A funeral service for Karen will be held Monday, June 16, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Boice Funeral Home, 308 Pollasky Ave, Clovis, CA 93612. Following the funeral service, there will be a committal service at 2:00 PM at San Joaquín Valley National Cemetery, 32053 McCabe Rd, Santa Nella, CA 95322.