Home > United States of America > Iowa > Wright County > Dows > Fairview Cemetery > Russell Clarence Root

Russell Clarence Root

Birth	:	25 May 1927 Dows, Wright County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	12 Nov 2020 Ames, Story County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Fairview Cemetery, Dows, Wright County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.6511002, -93.5044022
Description	:	Russell Clarence Root of Boone, IA, formerly of Burnside, IA passed away on November 12, 2020, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, IA. Russ was born May 25, 1927 in his parents’ farmhouse outside of Dows, IA to Clarence Root and Gertrude (Kraft) Root and was raised in the Dows, IA area where he attended school. After graduating from high school in 1945, he served in the Navy near the end of WWII and was stationed in California. He later served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in France. After returning to the... Read More	Russell Clarence Root of Boone, IA, formerly of Burnside, IA passed away on November 12, 2020, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, IA. Russ was born May 25, 1927 in his parents’ farmhouse outside of Dows, IA to Clarence Root and Gertrude (Kraft) Root and was raised in the Dows, IA area where he attended school. After graduating from high school in 1945, he served in the Navy near the end of WWII and was stationed in California. He later served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in France. After returning to the states, he began working at Morton Frozen Foods in Webster City, IA, where he met JoAnn Downing. They were married January 20, 1957 after she proposed to him. They have four kids, Jerilyn (Thomas) Logue of Napier, IA; Christine (Shawn) Rourick of Ankeny, IA; Steven (April) Root of Kansas City, MO and Douglas Root of Clive, IA. Nine grandkids, Neil Logue, Bridgette (Dakota) Morgan, Cassidy (Zachary) Bristow, Darby Rourick (fiancé Robert Zappaterrini), Brittany (Braden) Barnhardt, Britany (Jesse) Faatz, Aleia Salazar, Skylar Root and Jacob Root along with eleven great-grandchildren. Both of the grandsons (the oldest and the youngest of the grandkids) bear the name “Russell” as their middle name. He had a strong work ethic and was dedicated to any company he worked for with the majority of his time at the Brick and Tile Company in Lehigh, IA. He was skilled in carpentry, plumbing, auto mechanics, etc. In his “free time”, he would tear down old buildings to salvage wood for future projects, spent numerous summers walking beans for a local farmer and even spent one summer tearing out old railroad tracks. One summer his two young daughters decided they wanted to join him in the bean field because he was taking a “lunch” of sandwiches, grapes, cookies, and a thermos of lemonade prepared by JoAnn. When arriving at the field, one daughter would “drive” the truck down the lane and when leaving to go home, the other daughter would “drive” the truck back to the highway with him operating the pedals. He loved fast cars, leaving behind a cloud of dust from his Model T and was a NASCAR fan. He even received a letter from the Iowa Highway Patrol in 1951 informing him he needed to slow down. He couldn’t turn away a stray animal which started when his oldest son brought home a stray puppy on a cold January night and asked if he could bring in a friend for supper. His son then asked, “What should we call her?” Russ’ response was “by long distance because we’re not keeping her!” The puppy became L.D. for “long distance” and spent the next 19 years as the family pet. He was a farmer at heart and enjoyed gardening—especially tomatoes (that he started by seed), salsa peppers and his favorite, green beans. In retirement he enjoyed numerous day trips around Iowa with the grandkids. Above all Russ cherished his family and the time spent together at family food fests talking, playing games and eating. He would have been thrilled if all of his kids and their families lived with him. It was common for a typical “Root” goodbye to take an hour - always one more story when it was time to leave or end a phone conversation. Often Russ would tease his adult kids, “If you don’t straighten up, I’ll put you back in the will!” “Being in the will” meant you had to be the one responsible for taking care of everything. His gentle nature and sense of humor were defining characteristics of a truly decent person that was at the center of a family built on love and respect. His good life leaves behind seeds that keep growing, and in his final moments he was surrounded by the family that he and JoAnn raised together. He was preceded in death by his parents; his two sisters, Ellen June Root and Marion Margaret Root; along with two great-grandsons, James and Carson Barnhardt. Thank you to the staff at Mary Greeley Hospice and the Israel Family Hospice House for their care during his final week. Honoring Russ’ wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no service or visitation. Cards can be sent to JoAnn and family at 1110 S. Marshall St. #116, Boone, IA 50036. In lieu of flowers, he has requested memorials be sent to: the Boone County Humane Society, in Boone, IA, Saint Jude’s Children Hospital, or the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Russell Clarence Root's memorial?
Russell Clarence Root's memorial is located at: Fairview Cemetery, Dows, Wright County, USA.
When did Russell Clarence Root death?
Russell Clarence Root death on 12 Nov 2020 in Ames, Story County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Russell Clarence Root's memorial?
Latitude: 42.6511002
Longitude: -93.5044022

Family Members:

Parent

Clarence Henry Root

(1899 - 1983)

Gertrude Catherine Kraft Root

(1899 - 1979)

Siblings

Marion Margaret Root

(1922 - 1923)

Ellen June Root

(1925 - 1998)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Fairview Cemetery
Dows, Wright County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6511002, -93.5044022

2. Mount Hope Cemetery
Morgan Township, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6777992, -93.4792023

3. Otis Grove Cemetery
Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6164017, -93.4880981

4. Olson Cemetery
Popejoy, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6383018, -93.4403000

5. Morgan Cemetery
Morgan Township, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6741982, -93.4100037

6. Oak Hill Cemetery
Popejoy, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5816994, -93.4447021

7. Galt Cemetery
Wright County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7030983, -93.5960999

8. Vernon Township Lutheran Cemetery
Dows, Wright County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5864000, -93.5994000

9. Graceland Cemetery
Rowan, Wright County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7453003, -93.5714035

10. Saint Peter's Lutheran Church Cemetery
Coulter, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7167015, -93.3803024

11. Coulter Cemetery
Coulter, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7388916, -93.3716736

12. Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery
Hampton, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7197189, -93.3397217

13. Saint Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Latimer, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7652817, -93.3719406

14. Montgomery Family Burial Ground
Iowa Falls, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5932028, -93.3105961

15. Alden Cemetery
Alden, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5218000, -93.3864500

16. Alexander Cemetery
Alexander, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8041687, -93.4591675

17. Saint Johns Cemetery
Clarion, Wright County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7324982, -93.7039032

18. Evergreen Cemetery
Clarion, Wright County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7313995, -93.7069016

19. Williams Cemetery
Williams, Hamilton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4780998, -93.5864029

20. Saint Mary's Cemetery
Williams, Hamilton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4782982, -93.5880966

21. Marion Center Cemetery
Latimer, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7738991, -93.3178024

22. Maynes Grove Cemetery
Hampton, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6577988, -93.2514038

23. Saint Francis Cemetery
Belmond, Wright County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8297005, -93.5905991

24. Blairsburg Cemetery
Blairsburg, Hamilton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4925003, -93.6455994