Alice Russell

Sun Prairie, WI -- Alice Russell, age 91, died September 30, 2014. She lived in Sun Prairie for 65 years, raising a large family with her husband, Dr. William T. Russell, who died July 29, 2014.

Born Oct. 8, 1922, Alice was the second of Francis Edward and Louise (Van Zieleghan) Corcoran's four children. She grew up in Cicero, IL, received a bachelor's degree in medical bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin, and worked as a lab chemist at Camp McCoy, WI, before marrying Bill on July 9, 1945. Family was Alice's main interest and commitment, and she transformed the big white house on the corner of Bristol and Windsor from a three-flat structure into a model of efficiency, with cubbyholes, hidden stepstools, and play/work stations designed for growing children. She also enriched her family's life by welcoming international students into the household. Her personal interests were gardening, traveling, and exploring the natural world, and she served for a number of years on the board of the Sun Prairie Public Library. Alice was the motivating force for the Russell family's annual camping trips to Devil's Lake, which continue to this day. Everyone who knew her appreciated her warm smile.

Alice is survived by 10 children: Michael (Pamela), Mary Curran (Jim Curran), Patricia Carnahan, Colleen Duffie (Neil Duffie), Timothy (Junko Murakami), Daniel, Faith (John Miller), Steven, Julianne (Steve Cejtin), and John. Alice's family also includes grandchildren Bridget, Charles (Lori Sininger), and Molly Carnahan (Tim Hall); Christopher Curran; Meghan Duffie (Sung-Won Kim), Patrick Duffie (Elizabeth Wesley-Prieto), and Laura Duffie-Evans (Drew Evans); Ryo (Miwa Aoki), Shin, and Liam Russell; Mikael, Will, Sam, and Taed Cejtin; and great-grandchildren Cailleach McGinley, Kaden and Oliver Duffie-Kim, and Riku Aoki Russell. Other survivors include Alice's siblings Patricia Corcoran Moldawsky and William Jacque Corcoran and many nieces and nephews. Alice's son Terrence and grandsons Paul Russell and Jamison Curran died in past years.

Alice and family appreciated seeing many friends at the recent visitation for Bill, and the family has decided on a private memorial service for her. Memorial donations may be made to the Sun Prairie Public Library or to Wisconsin Public Radio. The family extends sincere thanks to Sun Prairie Health Care Center staff members for their care.

Condolence cards can also be mailed to Cress Funeral Home.