Linda Joyce Russell

Linda Joyce Russell was born March 27, 1947 in Lincoln, Nebraska, daughter of Cobert D. and Marylou (Ramsey) Madsen and was one of six children. The family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1955 and she called Arizona her home for most of her life.

She was a strong Christian and loved to witness and serve others. She called herself “a dreamer” and loved to sew and create. She was a collector, always looking for a bargain or a treasure to share with others.

She had many adventures in her life. As a child growing up, vacations included driving all night to go visit aunts and uncles and cousins. When she was 16, she got to visit her Aunt in California; they had great fun that summer lounging on the beach. She married in 1966 and lost a child, a daughter named Carline, in 1969, an event that greatly impacted her life. She worked for several years in the 1970’s for Motorolla Corporation. She had a job picking potatoes in Idaho one summer and served in a large kitchen at a resort in Pinetop, Arizona in 1980’s.

She was a devoted Christian and as her faith grew, she became very active in sharing the gospel. She obtained a Master’s Commission thru Phoenix First Assembly to become a missionary in 1987. She did part time missionary work in Mexico for some time then moved to Sonora, Mexico where she served as a children’s minister for a church for several years. Her pastor said she gave up personal comforts and did so at a time that was very dangerous and many would have thought it foolish but she was bold and passionate about it. This was one of the highlights of her life and she developed a deep compassion for the Hispanic people, especially the children.

When she returned in 2008, she lived in Tucson, Arizona and was a member of Faith Christian Fellowship Church. She helped with a bible study for the women in Pima County Jail as part of the Jail Mission Program thru Faith Christian Fellowship from 2009 - 2013. She continued to serve children in several ways. Her friend said she was of great assistance for many years as her family took in over 19 foster kids. She also worked as an aid at Manza Elementary School for the “Grandparents of America” program from 2014 - 2017. She also passionately served the homeless during her time in Tucson, providing them with food and supplies at her own cost.

She moved to Camdenton, Missouri in 2019 to be closer to family and attended Rock House Church, Linn Creek Missouri. She always looked for ways to serve, work with children and share the gospel. She worked two summers going to the farmers market every weekend selling her towels to get enough money to send to some fellow missionaries. She was passionate about the Operation Christmas Child and sewed and shopped year-round for items for the boxes. Even in the skilled nursing center shortly before her death, she was witnessing and sharing with fellow residents.

She is proceeded in death by her father, Cobert D. Madsen, mother Marylou Ramsey Madsen, brother Michael C. Madsen and daughter Carline Russell. She is survived by brother Mark and wife Anna Lynne of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, sister Laura Wright of Camdenton, Missouri, sister Leisa Parker and husband Bryan of Rolla, Missouri, and brother Mathew Madsen and wife Angie of Climax Springs, Missouri as well as many nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends.

A celebration of life will be held 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Climax Springs Civic Center, Climax Springs, Missouri. She wanted everyone to remember her with a smile and celebrate her adventures. As such, the family asks that anyone with a story or photo to share send it to www.LindasAdventures4@gmail.com

She did not want flowers and instead asked that memorial donations go to two of her favorite programs. She was very active with Operation Christmas Child, a program that sends shoeboxes filled with gifts to needy children around the world and telling them about the gospel. Please send these donations to Rock House Church, PO Box 877, Linn Creek, Missouri 65052 with a note OCC – Linda Russell Memorial. She also cherished the program where $360.00 will cover all training and expenses for a person in Kenya to become a nurse. Please make donations to Grace and Faith Family Ministries Incorporated and send the donations to Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, 15 Clint Avenue, Camdenton, Missouri 65020.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri.