Diane Kay Russ

DULUTH, Minn. - Diane Kay Russ, 74, of Ironwood, passed away unexpectedly on May 26, 2018 in Duluth.

Diane was born on June 28, 1943 in Ironwood to William and Amby (Honkaanen) Kalla. After graduating from high school, she worked in many jobs over the years. She was employed with Westgate Nursing Home, Ironwood Headstart as well as Munsingwear. On July 2, 1988 she married Sylvester "Stubby" Russ, and he preceded her in death on April 30, 2013.

Diane enjoyed gardening, cooking big meals, baking cookies, cakes, and Christmas baking. She also made her homemade spaghetti sauce and pasties. Diane was dedicated to her family and especially her grandchildren.

She will be sadly missed by her children, Lori (Jerry) LaPlant of Ironwood; Greg (Diane) Piispanen of Ironwood; grandchildren, Nicole (Josh) Fagan, Kristen (CJ) Ceno, Jerry LaPlant, Tori LaPlant, Taylor LaPlant, Katie Piispanen, Andrew Piispanen; three great-grandchildren; siblings, Bill (Linda) Kalla of Ironwood, Darryl (Lynn) Kalla of Neenah and Bob (Judi) Kalla of Port Aransas, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Stubby.

Visitation for Diane will be on Monday, June 4, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell Street in Ironwood. There will be a Memorial Service on Monday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood.

For more information and to express condolences, please visit http://www.mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Gogebic Medical Care Facility who helped her rehab after her last stroke.