My Grandmother was born in Chicago, the hazel-eyed eldest of 3 daughters of Gene and Lena Russell. She grew up in a large 2- flat house at 6338 S. Peoria Street in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. She was a talented painter, musician, and scholar who studied at the Art Institute of Chicago then graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Chicago. Athletic as well, she also played right field on the Senior Girl's Baseball Team.
After college she worked in the office of her Uncle William D. Elmstrom's Coal Company. She met the Rev Guy J. Fansher, a Methodist minister, at a lecture at the U of Chicago. They were married May 1, 1913. They made their first home in Leon, Iowa where she adapted to the busy life as the wife of a small town Methodist pastor, later moving to Audubon, Glidden, Creston and Ogden, IA.
She gave birth to four children: Russell, Ruth, Harriet, and Frances. After her 8 year old daughter Ruth died suddenly from adhesions from a appendectomy done months before, Ella's health rapidly deteriorated. She died of breast cancer at the home of her parents, at the age of 35.
After college she worked in the office of her Uncle William D. Elmstrom's Coal Company. She met the Rev Guy J. Fansher, a Methodist minister, at a lecture at the U of Chicago. They were married May 1, 1913. They made their first home in Leon, Iowa where she adapted to the busy life as the wife of a small town Methodist pastor, later moving to Audubon, Glidden, Creston and Ogden, IA.
She gave birth to four children: Russell, Ruth, Harriet, and Frances. After her 8 year old daughter Ruth died suddenly from adhesions from a appendectomy done months before, Ella's health rapidly deteriorated. She died of breast cancer at the home of her parents, at the age of 35.
My Grandmother was born in Chicago, the hazel-eyed eldest of 3 daughters of Gene and Lena Russell. She grew up in a large 2- flat house at 6338 S. Peoria Street in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. She was a talented painter, musician, and scholar who studied at the Art Institute of Chicago then graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Chicago. Athletic as well, she also played right field on the Senior Girl's Baseball Team.
After college she worked in the office of her Uncle William D. Elmstrom's Coal Company. She met the Rev Guy J. Fansher, a Methodist minister, at a lecture at the U of Chicago. They were married May 1, 1913. They made their first home in Leon, Iowa where she adapted to the busy life as the wife of a small town Methodist pastor, later moving to Audubon, Glidden, Creston and Ogden, IA.
She gave birth to four children: Russell, Ruth, Harriet, and Frances. After her 8 year old daughter Ruth died suddenly from adhesions from a appendectomy done months before, Ella's health rapidly deteriorated. She died of breast cancer at the home of her parents, at the age of 35.
After college she worked in the office of her Uncle William D. Elmstrom's Coal Company. She met the Rev Guy J. Fansher, a Methodist minister, at a lecture at the U of Chicago. They were married May 1, 1913. They made their first home in Leon, Iowa where she adapted to the busy life as the wife of a small town Methodist pastor, later moving to Audubon, Glidden, Creston and Ogden, IA.
She gave birth to four children: Russell, Ruth, Harriet, and Frances. After her 8 year old daughter Ruth died suddenly from adhesions from a appendectomy done months before, Ella's health rapidly deteriorated. She died of breast cancer at the home of her parents, at the age of 35.
Gravesite Details
Thanks to Anne S. for her sponsorship!
