Helen Margaret Russo

RUSSO HELEN Helen M. Russo, 91, Topeka, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at home in Topeka Kansas, Monday, November 14, 2016. She showed grace, courage and strength through to the end. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at St. Matthews Catholic Church, , 2700 SE Virginia Avenue, Topeka, KS. A visitation will take place at the church from 12:30 P.M. until service time with a recitation of the rosary at 1:30 pm. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Yankton, South Dakota on Monday, December 5, 2016 at approximately 3:00 PM. Visitations will begin at 12:00 PM, Monday, December 5, 2016 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD with a Wake service beginning at 1:45 PM. On-line condolences may be sent at: opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. A full obituary will be available soon. Topeka Pallbearers will be Gregory Hawerlander, Jarrod Turley, Jesse Wilson, Joshua Wilson, Jarvis Odgers, and Joshua Cecetka. Yankton Pallbearers will be Nicholas Russo, Joshua Russo, John Russo III, Joseph Russo, and Jay Hurt. Honorary Pallbearers are all of Helen’s grandchildren. Helen was born in Pittston, PA March 26, 1925 to Anthony and Anna (Dignaitus) Mitsuti. Helen married Dominic Russo on September 8, 1946. Helen and Dominic lived a full and active life filled with a large family and many friends. Dominic passed away in 2007. Helen continued to be active with her family up to a few days before her passing. In 1967 the Russo family moved to Yankton, SD and lived there for several years. Dominic worked for Dale Electronics and Helen and son, John opened Russo's Café Exceptionale, where Helen enjoyed sharing her new and delicious food ideas with the community. Her many talents included making all sorts of crafts, from sewing to calligraphy, to creating individual Christmas ornaments for family, friends and neighbors. Helen and Dominic were always happy to share a meal and their friendship with others. In 1980 Helen and Dominic moved to Gardner, Kansas until retirement. In 2006 they settled into Brewster Place in Topeka. Helen continued her love of crafts and created many items for the Brewster Bazaar every year. Helen is survived by their children: John and Diane (Lenzen) Russo of Marble Falls, TX, Ann and Dennis Menke of Yankton, SD, Christopher and Debra (Lehrke) Russo of Tyler, TX, Dominic and Dolly (Brunick) Russo of Yankton, SD and Maria and Michael Wilson of Topeka, KS; 24 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 800-805-5856.