Grace Jeanette (Hannaford) Russell passed away at Sterling Regional Med Center on Sunday, November 21, 2021, at the age of 83. Mrs. Russell requested not to have services held in Sterling, Colorado but instead wished for them to be in Eastern Nebraska where she spent what she considered the best years of her life. A memorial service is planned for this Spring and an announcement thereof will be forthcoming for those wishing to attend.

Grace was an only child, born in Auburn Nebraska on June 4, 1938, to Omar and Leone Hannaford. She attended elementary school in a small rural schoolhouse located between Auburn Nebraska and the farm she grew up on just outside of Brownville Nebraska. She spoke fondly of being able to ride her horses to school and roller skating in the basement of the schoolhouse. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1955 and attended Peru State College. She worked for 30+ years as an elementary music teacher and substitute teacher in both Cozad, Nebraska and Sterling, Colorado. "Mrs. Russell" was known and loved by generations of students. She was a skilled pianist and accompanied many music students earning them trophies and honors in musical performance.

Grace enjoyed reading, traveling, genealogy and antiques, watching and caring for birds and wildlife and collecting memorabilia. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star chapter 263.

Grace is survived by her husband Roger Russell of 62 years. They were married in Auburn, Nebraska on November 14, 1959. She is lovingly remembered by her son Ryan G. Russell of Ryder, North Dakota; her daughter Rae Lee (Russell) Jones of Rawlins, Wyoming; six (6) grandchildren: Janell M. Fuller Solomon, Rachelle A. (Russell) Busse, Race M. Russell, Rygel A. Russell, Jaren X.Jones (deceased) and Joshua O. Jones; ten (10) great grandchildren: Dean M. Thompson, Tarie N. Thompson, Jarvis C. Simpson,  Leon R. Russell, Raya A.Russell (deceased), R-Lee M. Russell, Raygen Russell, Ryder Russell, Riggs Russell, and Ryett Cole Russell; and one great great grandchild, Kassara Rose Berckefeldt.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the RE-1 Valley School District music program in her name. ( RE-1 Valley Foundation, PO Box 129, Sterling, CO 80751) Condolences for the family may be offered online at www.chaney-reager.com or sent to Roger Russell 621 Delmar Sterling, CO 80751, Rae Jones P.O. Box 326 Rawlins, WY 82301 or Ryan Russell 5287 25th Street NW Ryder, ND 58779.