Obituary: Lisel Edith Margarete Russell

Lisel Edith Margarete Russell, 88, of Egg Harbor, WI, formerly of Michigan, passed away Christmas Eve morning, Saturday, December 24, 2016 at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay, WI.

She was born October 24, 1928 in Kiel, Germany, the daughter of Otto Wilhelm Karl Schulz II and Edith Gertrud Josephine (Krahstöver) Schulz. During the war, Lisel worked at an American Military base where she met and married an American soldier, Donald Clyde Russell, who was serving with the United States Army. She came to the United States with Donald in the early 1950s and initially settled in Michigan.

Lisel took great care of her family and home. She became an avid sports fan of the Detroit Pistons basketball team and the Detroit Tigers baseball team. Lisel knew everything about her teams’ players and studied up on her teams’ opponents. She shared that passion for sports with her family, especially, her grandchildren, who she looked forward to attending games with. Lisel’s other passion was entertaining her great-grandchildren.

Together, she and Don retired to Florida in 1987. He preceded her in death on September 5, 2001. After Don’s passing, Lisel returned to Michigan to be closer to her family. She came to Door County in 2014 when her daughter, Deborah and son-in-law, Steven, moved from Indiana to Wisconsin and made their home in the Town of Egg Harbor. Lisel initially lived at Cardinal Ridge in Sturgeon Bay. These past few months, Lisel was a resident at the Door County Medical Center Door County Skilled Nursing Facility in Sturgeon Bay.

She enjoyed reading, needlepoint, and crocheting and was always making afghans for family. Lisel also liked playing cards-bridge, pinochle, and mahjong.

Her love will live on in the hearts of her three sons and one daughter, Donald (Christine) Russell of Fayetteville, GA, Michael (Cindy) Russell of Alpena, MI, Frank Russell of Livonia, MI, and Deborah (Steven Stivers) Russell of Egg Harbor, WI; four grandchildren, Eric Russell, Tracy (David) Murray, Kristy (Kevin) Collins, and Michelle (Matt) Lumetta; four great-grandchildren, Isaac and Sierra Murray and Emily and Gavin Lumetta; brother, Dr. Otto Wilhelm Karl Schulz III of Germany; and aunt, Liselotta Neisecke of Germany; and all of her godchildren, nieces, and nephews in Germany.

Lisel was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; and three sisters, Christel (Wolfgang) Albrecht, Brigitte Schulz, and Bärbel Neisecke.

A memorial service will be held in 2017.

Burial will be in Florida National Cemetery beside her husband, Donald.

“Thank you to Cardinal Ridge for their kindness shown to Lisel and to Door County Medical Center Door County Skilled Nursing Facility who made the last few months of Lisel’s life comfortable.”

Huehns Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sturgeon Bay is assisting the Russell family. Condolences may be offered at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.