Iolanda Russell

She was born to the late Adolfo Giuliuzzi and Giuseppina Merlich on March 11, 1931 in Trieste, Italy. She lived through World War II in Italy. She moved to the United States after marrying her first husband Robert McJunkin in 1952. She loved the traveling that came with being a military spouse, especially the years stationed in Germany as she was able to take her daughter to visit her mother in Italy every summer.

She married the late Jerrell Russell in 1969, and they lived together in Widefield, Colorado after his retirement from the military until he passed away on 12/2008. Surviving is her only child Patricia Hansen and her children with John, grandchildren Justin (Lindsay), Jeffrey and Scott (Georgia). She is also survived by 2 great-granddaughters Joni Hansen and Elliette Jane Hansen, sister Bruna Naddes and nieces Tina Naddes-Lightfoot and Lisa Naddes-Yoder. She is preceded in death by her sister Silvana Scher and husband Jerrell Russell.

Iolanda's greatest gift was her love of people - it truly can be said she never met a stranger. She graduated from high school in Trieste, Italy where despite being 5 feet 1 inches she was on the High School Basketball team.. In her career, she was an accomplished seamstress and bartender. She was also a fabulous cook who never needed to look at a recipe, an avid gardener and was fluent in 4 languages. She loved the color purple, wine, dancing and even at 91 was full of energy and life!

Iolanda spend her last few years at Brookdale Monument Valley Park Assisted Living where she was well loved by staff and residents. Many have described her as feisty, sassy, strong-willed, and yes, stubborn. She brought special joy to all of the activities and outings she participated in. It was a common frustration expressed by her family and friends that "We can never find her in her room" because she was so active.

Service will be held on 6/10/2022 at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 N Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Viewing will be held at 11:30, service at noon with a reception to follow. Gravesite service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to All Breed Rescue & Training in Colorado springs or your favorite animal rescue, as one of Iolanda's greatest joys were the cocker spaniels she had through the years.