Madalea Russell
Madalea Joy (Adams) Russell was born on Feb. 1, 1938, to William Newton and Leola (Ellis) Adams in Guthrie.
She passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Kingfisher at Cimarron Nursing Center at the age of 87.
Madalea attended Benedictine Heights Schools in Guthrie and graduated in 1956.
Madalea married Charles Russell on July 3, 1960, at St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in Crescent. After they were married, the couple moved to Kingfisher where they lived until their passing.
Together they had three children, Charles, Jr., Melinda and Melanie.
Madalea worked for the Farm Service Agency/Land office in Kingfisher for many years.
Madalea loved helping area farmers and made countless acquaintances and friends over the years.
Madalea would often sew dresses and cheerleading outfits for her daughters, fixed many shirts and pants for locals and later on made flower girl dresses and ring bearer outfits for her two oldest grandchildren.
After retirement, Madalea enjoyed attending sporting events for her grandchildren, working on her needlepoint projects, filling out the Daily Oklahoman crossword puzzle and in March, the NCAA March Madness brackets.
She was an active member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and often helped with the annual turkey dinner. She was known to a few of the younger church members as the “Church Lady” and would tell the young children to pay attention to the sermon on Saturday evening Mass.
Madalea was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 57 years, Charles, Sr.
Madalea is survived by her children, Charles Russell Jr. of Dover, Dr. Melinda Zettel and husband Dan of West Branch, Mich., and Melanie R. Cluck of Kingfi sher; her eight grandchildren, Kenneth Russell of Okeene, Racheal Hill and husband John of El Reno, Chase Cluck of Oklahoma City, Caleb Cluck of Kingfi sher, Adam, Aaron, Alec and Adrian Zettel of West Branch.
Madalea is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Jordyn Hill. She is also survived by her brother Ronald Adams and several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews along with numerous cousins.
Visitation for Madalea will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at Sanders Funeral Service.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 27, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church with interment following at Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie under the direction of Sanders Funeral Services.
The family requests memorial donations in Madalea’s name be made to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church at 309 S. Main St, Kingfisher, OK 73750.