Harriet "Jo" Russell

Harriet Josephine ("Jo") Russell passed Nov. 1, 2020. She was born Dec. 6, 1923, in Roundup, Mont., to Harry and Harriet Gander. Raised in the Bitterroot Valley, she graduated from Corvallis High School in 1941. She attended business college in Missoula and eventually worked for the government in South Dakota, Colorado and New Mexico. She married John F. Moore and they raised their family of three children, Michael, Cynthia and Christine, in Missoula.

Later in life, Jo married Douglas C. Russell and they moved to Minnesota, eventually landing in Post Falls, Idaho in 1979. She worked in various office positions — from banking, newspaper work (including the Missoulian), insurance and working 14 years for Dr. Larry Gibbon, to finally retiring at the age of 79.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Michael Moor;, brother, Gilbert Gander; sister, Kathleen Jacobsen; brother, Wesley Gander; grandson, Matthew Gibbon; her son-in-law, Dr. Richard Gibbon; and step-sons Dave Russell and Dan Russell. She is survived by her daughter, Christine Gibbon of Post Falls; daughter, Cynthia Moore of Oakland, Calif.; and her granddaughter, Dr. Whitney Frank of Coeur d'Alene; step-son, Brent Russell (Judy); and daughters-in-law, Barb Russell and Bonnie Russell; as well as numerous other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Throughout her life, she maintained her love of gardening, baking and reading, passing along what she knew to her children, step-children, grandchildren and neighbors. She is remembered as a "Friend of the Library" and spent her time in retirement volunteering at the Post Falls Library. She would always say about reading, "a book is like a good friend and to finish a book was sad because it was like having to say goodbye to that new friend you had made." As a final goodbye, Jo had asked that memorials be made in her name to the Post Falls Library. Memorials can be sent to Whitney Frank at 620 N. 7th St, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.