Edith I Russell

Edith I. Russell was born April 6, 1925 in Berlin, Germany. She married Herman Sibum and moved to the United States and became a naturalized citizen. She felt great pride at becoming a U.S. Citizen and proudly showed her patriotism by voting and displaying the American flag at her home. They had five children, Norman Sibum, Monica Angela Yantis (Ted), Angelique Lorraine Skov (John), Michele Elaine Elhardt (Anthony ), and Cindy Elizabeth Hinchcliffe(Rick). Mom and Dad divorced in 1969 and Mom was remarried in 1987 to Roy Russell. Roy predeceased Mom in 2005.

Mom is survived by her brother, Werner Klabunde in Berlin, Germany, her son, Norman Sibum of Montreal, Quebec, her daughter, Monica Angela Yantis (Thedore Franklin), of Oso, Washington, her daughter, Angelique Lorraine Skov (John) of Olympia, Washington, her daughter, Michele Elaine Elhardt (Anthony), and her daughter, Cindy Elizabeth Hinchcliffe (Rick) of Olympia, Washington.

Mom has five grandchildren: Barry Michael Yantis (Jamie Lynn) of Mt. Vernon, Washington; Kristina Elizabeth Hebert (Christopher Andrew) of Leavenworth, Washington, Brian George Yantis of Oso, Washington, Melissa Anne Shumway (Jeff), and David Elhardt.

She has eleven great grandchildren: Anthony Howard Yantis, Jordan Theodore Yantis and Shanayla Ann Yantis, of Mt. Vernon, Washington; Jeremiah Kourage Alonso, Meyna Elizabeth Hebert, Trent Andrew Hebert and Elona Rae Hebert of Leavenworth, Washington; Nescylia Rubie Yantis of Oso, Washington; Hunter Stephen Shumway, Mallory Anne Shumway and Tanner Anthony Shumway of Olympia, Washington.

Mom was a certified gemologist and retired as the manager of Kluh’s Jewelers at Capital Mall, Olympia, Washington.

Mom loved to travel back to Germany with her husband, Roy, to spend time with her brother, Werner and his wife, Helga and had many, many happy memories of those times.

During the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Mom participated as a young gymnast in the opening ceremony. She loved the experience and when in 2002, the Olympics Torch came through Olympia, she was so very proud to have the honor of carrying the torch with so many others through the streets of Olympia.

Mom died on Wednesday, March 18, at home as she had wanted, with family members surrounding her and her most beloved cat, Skeeter. There will be a private family gravesite service.

The family would like to particularly thank Barbara Porria and her daughter, Michele Schrader, for their excellent help in the care of Mom during the last few months of her life. Mom very much appreciated both of them and the wonderful care they took of her.

The family would also like to thank the staff of St. Peter’s Hospital and those of Providence Hospice for their great kindness, care and support during the last week of Mom’s life.

We will miss Mom, but know that she is now at peace.