Rebecca D. Russell died on April 24, 2019 at her home in Hermiston at the age of 58.
She was born on Nov. 15, 1960 in La Mesa, Calif. to Dean Filener and Jessie Walker.
Rebecca was raised in Kansas, attending schools in Valley Center, Kan. She graduated from Valley Center High School in the class of 1978. Rebecca then attended Fort Hays College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in photography. She moved to Nyssa in 1982, where she married Gary Russell on March 21, 1987. They moved to Portland in 1987 and later Prineville before settling in Hermiston in 2012, where they have lived since.
Rebecca enjoyed quilting, hunting, fishing, butterflies, humming birds, gardening and photography. She was a longtime advocate and supporter of World Vision International.
She is survived by her husband, Gary Russell, Hermiston; sons, William Russell, Richland, Wash., Mitchell Russell, Troutdale and Jeremiah Russell, Jacksonville, Fla.; daughters, Genie Ross, Portland and Rebecca Ramer, Vancouver, Wash.; brothers, William Filener, Broken Arrow, Okla., David Filener, Tucson, Ariz. and Randall Melton, Pendleton; sisters, Mary Powell-McConnell, Tucson, Ariz., Cynthia Russell, La Grande, Julia Flynn, Pendleton and Willa Wallace, Pendleton; eight grandchildren; one great grandson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Rebecca was preceded in death by her father.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 1 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston.
Those who wish may make contributions in Rebecca’s memory to World Vision International at www.wvi.org.
Please share memories of Rebecca with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
