Obituaries : * Lela F. Russell; Ventura Resident, Retired Nurse
Retired nurse Lela Ferguson Russell, who also worked in a factory during the second World War, died Thursday at the age of 87.
Russell died at Community Memorial Hospital after a brief illness, said her daughter, Wanda Kirchhoff of Ventura.
A native of Hickory, Okla., Russell worked in a Detroit car factory during World War II in addition to continuing with her nursing job, Kirchhoff said.
She moved to Ventura 18 years ago to be close to Kirchhoff, who is her only child, her daughter said. Since then, Russell volunteered to work at several local organizations, including Food Share, her daughter said.
Until three months ago, Russell lived in a trailer alone and still drove, Kirchhoff said.
At home, Russell enjoyed listening to country music and working in her garden, where she grew tomatoes and roses, Kirchhoff said.
In addition to her daughter, Russell is survived by her son-in-law, Clyde Kirchhoff of Ventura; a sister, Eula Norman of Van, Texas; a brother, Denton Hobbs of Nacoma, Tex., and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her family asks that memorial contributions be made to Food Share in Ventura.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.
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