Ethel Easton

Ethel M. Easton, 89, of Waukon died Friday, July 24, 2015 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 28 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Pastor Josh Miller officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Ethel Marie Easton was born September 13, 1925 in Lansing, the daughter of Theodore Henry and Mayme Elizabeth (Waters) Haerer. She was baptized and confirmed in Lansing and attended Lansing area country schools, which she rode to on horseback.
September 9, 1943, Ethel married Milton Osro Russell in Lansing. The couple moved to Waukon and Ethel spent many years as a nurse’s aide, including 25 years at Good Samaritan Center and five years at Makee Manor. Milton died in 1961, and October 6, 1962, Ethel married Edward LeRoy “Tuck” Easton at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Tuck died in 1993.
Besides being busy with work, Ethel also raised 11 children. Her family was the most important thing to her and they will remember her as being a loving, kind-hearted and very nurturing woman. She was a generous hostess and always made sure to have food ready for whoever came over, whether they wanted to be fed or not. She loved baking and cooking and made delicious homemade breads, buns, noodles and dumplings. She also gardened and canned. Ethel liked to crochet and enjoyed singing and dancing as well.
Ethel is survived by her 11 children: Vicky Easton of Waukon, Susan Easton of Waukon, Bonnie (Kevin) Dundee of Luana, Linda Miller of Waukon, Julie Gericke of Waukon, Diane (Steve) McDonough of Nora Springs, Dean (Barb) Russell of Waukon, Randy (Sue) Russell of Ridgeway, Richard (Renee) Russell of Marquette, Roger Russell of Waukon and Gary Russell of Cedar Rapids; 23 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Theodore “Ted” Haerer of La Crescent, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; her sister, Stacia Peterson; and two brothers, Theodore and Ray Haerer.
Honorary casketbearers were Ethel’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Casket bearers were Brett Easton, Cory Easton, Shawn Dundee, Blake Miller, Richard Russell, Jr., Brian McDonough and Craig Gericke. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.