Cecilia Sophie (Bautch) Russell
Valley Hills Funeral Home, Yakima

YAKIMA - Cecilia Sophie (Bautch) Russell of Yakima passed from this life into the loving arms of her Lord, Jesus Christ, August 4th, 2008.

She was born in Perham, Minnesota, August 24th, 1922, the 7th child of 11 children of Joseph and Francis (Lucas) Bautch.

As a young woman, Cecilia moved West in 1942 to work in the blueprint office of the Bremerton shipyards supporting the war effort. During her time in Seattle Cecilia met Henry Russell, her sailor sweetheart, and they married in June of 1944 in Waite Park, Minnesota. Over the next 13 years they were blessed with 8 children; 6 boys and 2 girls.

After the war, they moved out West with their family and settled in the Lower Yakima Valley in 1957. They moved to Portland, Oregon in 1972. After the loss of her husband, Henry, Cecilia moved back to Yakima in 2001. Cecilia was a devoted mother, and rejoiced in spending time with her children, 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She had a passion for fishing and enjoyed spending many hours on the Willamette River with her husband and delighted in eating her catch. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Paul Cathedral parish.

She is survived by her sons, Richard (Dora), Yakima, Kevin (Patty), Zillah, Timothy (Victoria) McMinnville, OR, Randy, Nyssa, OR, Craig (Eden), Woodinville; daughters Nancy Russell, The Dalles, OR and Susan (Denny) Hennessy, Milwaukie, OR; and sisters Polly Theisen, Waite Park, MN, Toni Bautch, Lynwood and Teri Bautch, Shoreline and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Henry Russell, son James John Russell, daughter-in-law Barbara Russell, grandson Joseph Russell, and great granddaughter, Kaylee Sander. She was also preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Paul, Frank, Stanley, Claude, Raymond (Sam), and Peter Bautch, and sister Josephine Orton.

The family would like to give special thanks to all her caregivers and special acknowledgement to Roberta Valasquez, Marion Trout, Margaret Hiatt, Shannon Pullium also Rhonda Freisz her friend and hairdresser.

Cecilia will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Viewing will be at Valley Hills Funeral Home, Terrace Heights, Friday August 8th with vigil services at 5:30 pm. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, August 9th at 10:00 am at St Paul Cathedral in Yakima. Interment will be at a later date at Willamette National cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggest contributions be made to St. Paul Cathedral or the charity of ones choice.