Constance Lou Russell

Constance “Connie” Lou Russell, 95, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Born on September 15, 1930, in Engadine, Michigan, to Kary and Beulah Harkness, Connie was the youngest of eleven children—a role that helped shape her gentle spirit, resilience, and deep love for family.

As a child, Connie moved from Michigan to Bend, Oregon, where God would begin writing a beautiful love story. It was there, in high school, that she met her lifelong love, William “Bill” Russell. They were married on December 20, 1948, beginning a devoted partnership grounded in faith, love, and commitment that would span a lifetime.

Connie faithfully embraced her calling as a pastor’s wife, serving alongside Bill with humility, grace, and a servant’s heart. She poured herself into caring for others—both within her family and beyond. In her younger years, she worked as a caregiver, a role that reflected her natural compassion and desire to meet the needs of those around her.

Together, Connie and Bill raised five children, building a home centered on Christ, love, and steadfast faith. Connie’s life was a quiet but powerful testimony of devotion—devotion to her husband, her children, her church, and her Savior.

She is survived by her daughters, Rhonda Davis and Carla Garner, along with many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren who carry forward her legacy of faith and love. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and two of her children, Ricky Lee Russell and Colleen Louise Gordon.

Connie will be remembered for her gentle spirit, unwavering faith, and the way she made others feel seen, loved, and cared for. Whether through a kind word, a listening ear, or a life lived in service, she reflected the love of Christ to everyone she encountered.

Though she will be deeply missed, her family rejoices in the promise of eternal life and the assurance that she is now at peace in the presence of her Savior.

A viewing will be held Wednesday, April 1, from 6–8 p.m. at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. A graveside service will take place Thursday, April 2, at 2 p.m. at Hilltop Cemetery in Nyssa, Oregon. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 4, at 11 a.m. at Bethel Church of the Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho

In keeping with Connie’s loving and generous spirit, in lieu of flowers, a Memorial contribution can be made to Compassionate Ministries for the children in care of Bethel Church of the Nazarene, 3001 12th Ave. Rd, Nampa,ID 83686