BOMBER MEMORIAL

EDNA KATHERN RUSSELL GONZOLES ~ Class of 1965
March 16, 1947 - January 4, 2010

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Edna Kathern Russell Gonzoles was born to Samuel and Wanda Russell on March 16, 1947 in Tacoma. She passed from this life to be reunited with her parents and brother on January 4, 2010.

She was raised in Richland, graduating with the Class of 1965 from Richland's Columbia High School. Soon after she met her future husband, Jesse Gonzoles. After a courtship that grew through letters exchanged during Jesse's tour in Vietnam, they married in 1969. Their son, Michael Gonzoles, came into the world in 1972.

Edna was a homemaker for seven years until 1979 when she went to school. After one year of classes at the graduate center, Edna began a long career working for the Kennewick School District that lasted 22 years until her retirement in 2002. She was an educational assistant, specializing in working with the mentally and physically handicapped children. Edna enriched their lives by sharing her artistic skills with them in dozens of different crafts and sewing projects.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Wanda Russell in 1995; her father, Samuel Russell in 2003; and her brother, Lloyd Russell ('67) in 2005.

Edna is survived by her son, Michael Gonzoles; sister, Ruth Russell Pierson ('71); nieces, Jennifer and Lisa Pierson; great-nephew, Gage McDonnaugh; and her adopted daughters, Roberta Engel and Chana Holt.

Her viewing was from 5pm-8pm on Friday, January 8, 2010 at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland. There was a Celebration of her life and a reception following the viewing at 8618 W. Arrowhead in Kennewick.

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Bomber Memorial put together by Maren SMYTH ('63 and '64) and edited by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).