Carol Anne (Moses) Russell our beloved wife, mother, & grandmother passed away peacefully at home on October 13, 2021, after a long hard battle with dementia. Carol was born on August 5, 1935, to Harper & Mary Moses in Blackfoot, Idaho the 4th of 10 children. Carol loved living in Blackfoot and up until her death often talked about her best friend Ross Bowman who could never beat her at a foot race. The family bought a farm in 1951, and Carol being one of the oldest was a big part of the yearly harvest handpicking corn and potatoes all while helping tend to the little ones. Carol graduated Parma High School in 1953 and married her high school sweetheart Gary Ellibee. Carol & Gary moved all over the US while Gary served in the USAF to pursue his medical degree. Over several years 5 children were born into this marriage. The family settled in Grand Junction, Colorado and Carol helped build Gary's private practice. Carol was a super mom who always made time to be a volunteer at Mindy's school and was Scott's biggest cheerleader at his super-cross races that required lots of travel. She was competitive and beat us regularly at ping pong and bumper pool. Carol was a happy homemaker, a jack of all trades and excellent at everything she did. She was an avid seamstress and proudly hand sewed every Halloween and dance costume. Mom loved to can fruit, cook from scratch, and make bread even grinding her own wheat. Fridays were for housekeeping and the kids have warm memories of coming home from school to the smell of fresh baked bread and pine-sol. Mom was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and her faith carried her through many trials and tribulations of her life. Carol divorced Gary in 1987 and moved herself and Mindy to Mesa, Arizona. While living in Mesa Carol worked in the elementary school teaching reading and she loved every minute of it. Working for the schools gave her summers off and she visited her parents and family in Parma, Idaho where she would meet the love of her life Donald J Russell. Don and Carol were married on July 17, 1992. Don and Carol spent lots of time camping, fly fishing, and visiting family. Mom was a proud grandma and loved taking care of her grandsons. Carols grandkids were the twinkle in her eye, and she bragged about them often. Carols kids were taught the importance of service, standing up for yourself, picking yourself up when knocked down, and losing with dignity. Her infectious smile and great big hugs will be missed. Carol was preceded in death by both her parents Harper & Mary Moses; her infant son Gerald Lee Ellibee; a daughter Carla Jean Ellibee; and a grandson Neil Scott Ellibee. Carol is survived by her husband of 29 years Don Russell; children Ardis Lynn Ellibee, Scott Ellibee (Stacey) of Rifle Colorado, Mindy (Jody) Mitchell of Parma, Idaho; 8 grandkids and 3 great-grandchildren; her 5 bonus kids, and multiple bonus grandkids. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 16, 11:00 am at the Parma cemetery. The family would like to thank Idaho Home Health and Hospice especially our angels Abbi, Roberta, Sami & Danielle. A special thanks to all who took the time to stop by and visit with mom or share a meal.
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