Mary Russ

88, of New Hope, MN died peacefully at home on Jan. 17, 2020. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Duane John Russ (1928 – 2015) of 58 years, her mother Mabel Agnus (Plouf) Vashro (1895-1978) and her Father Reuben Arthur Vashro (1895 - 1952). She graduated with a teaching degree from St. Cloud Teachers College (MN) in 1955 and taught elementary school for 38 years. She especially loved teaching 4th grade. In addition to teaching 25 years in the Robbinsdale school district, she taught in Hibbing and St. Cloud.

Mary Jo and Duane loved to travel, both in the US and internationally. Though they didn’t have any children, Mary Jo and Duane took great pleasure in keeping in contact with her 40 nieces and nephews as well as close friends with whom she loved playing cards.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday Jan. 23, 2020, 11:30 AM at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 7301 Bass Lake Rd, Crystal, MN. Visitation will start prior to the Funeral at 10:30am. Burial will be Tuesday Jan. 28, 2020 at 1:30 pm in Maple Hill Cemetery, 12057 US-169, Hibbing, MN 55746.

In lieu of flowers, donations to: Feed My Starving Children, 401 93rd Avenue NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433, 763-504-2919