In Memory of

Karen "Kay" (McArtor) Russell

July 11, 1936-November 15, 2024

Hudsonville, Michigan

Surrounded by her family, on Friday, November 15, 2024, Karen "Kay" Russell, 88, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after a short battle with cancer. She was born July 11, 1936, to Frank and Dorotha Virginia McArtor in Minerva, Ohio, who preceded her in death. She will be dearly missed by her beloved husband, William Edward Russell, 93. who celebrated 70 years of marriage with her this past June.

Kay grew up near the Minerva Dairy and her parents owned McArtor's Market in East Rochester for 40 years. After marrying Bill,

they spent several years at Milwaukee Bible Institute in Wisconsin, and then moved to Grand Rapids to complete school at Grace Bible College. They later served as missionaries for two years in Puerto Rico.

After returning to the states, they began an active youth ministry, establishing a youth singing group and Ohio Grace Youth Camp.  In 1975, they founded Berean Bible Church of Minerva, Ohio.  In the years following, they served churches in Michigan and Alabama also.

In 1990, Kay graduated from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan as a communications major. She was employed as secretary for the Temple United Church, Muskegon, MI and later served on the board and worked for Love-In-the-Name-of-Christ in Cadillac, MI, She also wrote articles for the Waterfront Newspaper. As a young girl, she played in the Canton Junior Symphony, and later she joined the Cadillac Symphony and Baldwin Pops Band in Fairhope, Alabama.   Kay taught Spanish and English at Heritage Christian School and Central Christian School in Alabama, as well as for homeschool classes there.  She enjoyed teaching children's Sunday School classes into her 80s. She is currently a member of Robinson Grace Church in Grand Haven, MI where he son is the pastor. On June 13, 2015, Kay and Bill were inducted into the Minerva High School Hall of Fame.  Among Kay's achievements are her recent writings of junior curriculum on "The Life of Paul" and "The Life of Christ", and the women's Bible Studies, "Living Gracefully", "Alive in Christ", and the soon to be printed "Praising My Savior."

Kay was creative and enjoyed poetry, playing the piano, and her knitting, crocheting and sewing projects. Each child and grandchild had received a personally hand-crafted afghan at their graduations.

Along with her husband William Edward Russell, she is survived by her sister, Vickie (Rick) Bennett of Kensington, Ohio, and her brother, Frank L. (Andrea) McArtor of Salem, Ohio. She is survived by three daughters, Cindy Lippincott of Hudsonville, Michigan, Kimberly (Troy) Haynam of Alliance, Ohio, and Lisa (Harold) Kimbel of Zeeland, Michigan. Her three surviving sons are Pastor William G. Russell (Tricia) of Allendale, Michigan. Terry (Jodie Marie) Russell of Wayland, Michigan, and Pastor Jody (Sue) Russell of Tustin, Michigan. She has nineteen surviving grandchildren: Chad Lippincott, Trisha LaCoste, Nathan (Sunni) Lippincott, Amy (Ben) Jones, Trevor (Katie) Lippincott, Estania Lippincott, Titus (Sarah) Lippincott, Kyle (Laura) Haynam, Kendra (Stephen) Bertsch, Matthew (Morgan) Haynam, Melissa Russell, Shadrach Russell, Caleb (Kourtney) Kimbel, Ashley Kimbel, Cody Russell, Makayla Russell, Mackenzie Russell, Carter Russell, and McKenna Russell.  She also enjoyed her seventeen, soon to be eighteen, great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 23rd at 2:00 pm in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva with Stephan Kimbel officiating.  Burial will follow in Moultrie Chapel Cemetery.  Calling hours will be one hour prior to services from 1-2 pm at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date in the Robinson Grace Church in Grand Haven, MI.  Those wishing to send condolences may sign the online register at www.gotschallfuneralhome.com.