Olson Burke-Sullivan Funeral And Cremation Center

Obituary Detail

July 18, 1954 September 19, 2021
July 18, 1954 -- September 19, 2021

Marlene M Russ, Age:67

Marlene M. Russ passed away on September 19, 2021. She was born at Saint Anne’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, on July 18, 1954, to Earl L. Russ, Sr, and Wilma Resing Russ. Marlene was the fourth of five siblings: sisters, Bernadine, Lillian, and Kristin, and recently deceased brother Earl Jr. Marlene attended Nixon Grade School, and Kelvyn Park High School.
As a child, Marlene developed a love of reading when her mother allowed Marlene to access her collection of classic fiction novels. She was a quiet child who enjoyed reading over socializing, but those close to her knew her to be a deep thinker.
After high school, she worked at several jobs, including the Veterans Administration and an insurance company. During those years she traveled to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and various states, and developed a love for nature. She especially enjoyed being outdoors and would prefer walking in the forest preserves to seeing a movie.
In 1987, Marlene married Dennis Carroll, whom she met in high school. During their marriage, they had two children, Matthew and Jaclyn. Marlene instilled her love of reading to her children. As a toddler, her son Matthew would greet her in the morning with a stack of books that he wanted to have read out loud to him. Before she could walk her daughter Jaclyn after much frustration, figured out how to turn pages in her picture books. Marlene passed her love of nature to her children, who had various pets including finches, mice, snakes, fish, tadpoles, and of course dogs and cats.
It was after her children were in school that Marlene went back to college. She pursued a degree in early childhood education, which she completed in 2006. She worked for a while as a teacher. Later in life, she volunteered at Resurrection Hospital, and later at Brookfield Zoo.
When she wasn’t reading, Marlene would sew quilts, crochet blankets. She enjoyed taking old pieces of furniture and repurposing them with paintings and beautiful designs.
Raised as a Lutheran she later attended a Catholic church. Although she wasn’t personally connected to a particular denomination, she considered herself to be Christian. She was a very spiritual person, reading both Christian and Buddhist inspirational texts.
In the Fall of 2020, Marlene was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. This came as a surprise, as Marlene took care of her health and regularly scheduled and received mammograms. Doctors at Resurrection Hospital immediately put her on a chemotherapy regimen. Within months, the tumors were shrinking, and everything appeared to be going well. In September of 2021, Marlene began having dizzy spells, and headaches. She was admitted immediately to Resurrection Hospital, where they administered radiation therapy to nodules that had spread to her brain. In the hospital, her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she was transferred to the Rainbow Hospice on September 17, where she passed away three days later. During the entirety of her ordeal, Marlene accepted her treatment, while acknowledging the potential fatality of her cancer. She fought bravely without grieving or complaining. Her survivors are proud of the way she handled her last days. She died with dignity.
Marlene is survived by her husband Dennis Carroll; son Matthew Carroll, and daughter Jaclyn Carroll; and her sisters, Bernadine, Lillian, and Kristin. Our hearts are with her as she embarks on her next journey.
Per her wishes, Marlene will be cremated. Arrangements are being made through the
Olson Burke Sullivan Funeral & Cremation Center
Feel free to post your memories on their site.

A memorial service will be held for Marlene:
On Friday, October 1st at 1:00 PM,
at the White Eagle Restaurant at 6839 N Milwaukee, in Niles, IL

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Amita Rainbow Hospice:
Mail donation to:
Amita Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care
1550 Bishop Court
Mt Prospect, IL 60056
Attn: Stacey Matschinegg
Please specify donations to Rainbow Hospice ARK
If you want to contact her direct:
Stacey.Matschinegg@amitahealth.org
847-653-3101

Condolences

Charles Rader August 05, 2022

friend of Chris Longview , Texas

Chris, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers for you and your family. God Bless and comfort you in the days ahead.

Kevin and Courtney Opsahl August 05, 2022

Friend of son. Yankton , South Dakota

To Chris, Lisa and the rest of Victor's family: our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and in the future. May you all know that we are thinking about and give prayers of support and love. God bless you!

Dick Stevens August 06, 2022

Client Enfield , Connecticut

Chris to you and your family I wish to express our sympathy from the staff at Leete-Stevens Family Funeral Homes. Your father was a true gentleman. He and my Dad, Richard E. Stevens had more than a business relationship. He and my Dad were true friends many many years. They always spoke about their children and how proud they of them. You Dad was a man of his his word. Honest, compassionate, hard working. The apple does fall far from the tree. Over the years I often thought about the first time they meet at the airport in Hartford. To describe your Dad for me is “Well done good and faithful servant to the Lord you left the World a better place. He is at peace now after a long busy life. Keep his memories in your heart and soul. Richard “Dick” Stevens

Billy Boyle August 06, 2022

friend Owensboro , Kentucky

Chris, So sorry for the loss of your dad. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

ERIC ANNIS August 06, 2022

friend Dover Foxcroft , Maine

V.J.and family------ My deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad. He was a wonderful person and I have many fond memories of speaking with him often years ago when he started doing business with Maine Funeral Directors Association. He will be greatly missed.

Jeffrey Levesque August 06, 2022

Friend SAINT ALBANS , Vermont

Chris, Lisa and family, Please accept our sincere sympathy on the passing of your father. My father Ray, always spoke highly of Victor, and I remember him mentioning his name often. Sending prayers and love from all of us during this difficult time.

Evan Strong August 07, 2022

Know Chris through OGR Calgary ,

Chris and family, My condolences on the passing of your father. I will continue to have a good thought for you and your family during this difficult time.

Peter Neal August 07, 2022

Friend Bangor , Maine

VJ, Chris, and families, Sad to hear of your father's passing. He always greeted me with his big smile and firm handshake. I remember a number of years ago staying in his beautiful apartment overlooking Lake Michigan, and more importantly, the Chicago Yacht Club that he loved. His hospitality was beyond measure. Laura remembered how much of a gentleman he was when he took us to dinner. He surely will be missed. Hope to see you the next time you come to Maine. Peter and Laura Neal

Dave Jones August 08, 2022

friend of the family Cape Elizabeth , Maine

My sincerest condolences and prayers go out to V.J. and his family on the recent passing of their Dad. I had the honor to have known Victor many years ago and will always remember him as the perfect gentleman. I had the opportunity to see V.J. this past June at the MFDA summer meeting and get an "update" on his dad. My thoughts are with you. Dave Jones

John W. Ford August 08, 2022

Business Associates Waterbury-Naugatuck-Cheshire , Connecticut

To All the Chigas Family- I was so sorry to learn of you Dad's passing. I've worked with your Dad where back in the early days of funeral funding. I always found him to be a "man of his word" and very dependable. He was certainly a pacesetter in his field. Your all made him very proud. Although he is absent from you now, I know he will live on in your hearts forever. Sincerely, John W. Ford, CFSP, CFC Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes, Inc. Waterbury-Naugatuck- Cheshire

Robin L Williams August 09, 2022

Enter your relationship with Victor C. Chigas Seminole , Florida

HI Chris and Lisa, Cheech and I are so sorry to here about your loss. We both know how hard it is when you lose a parent . Our thoughts and prayers are with you

Arthur Erickson August 11, 2022

Enter your relationship with Victor C. Chigas Hamden , Connecticut

Chris, VJ and family Along with my father we are saddened to learn of Victor's passing. To echo the sentiments of Dick Stevens and John Ford, your father was a pioneer in our profession and certainly helped CFDA during the early days of funeral funding. I enjoyed my visit with him during my last trip to Chicago. Sincerely, Arthur I. & Carleton V. Erickson Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service

Jim Abriola August 15, 2022

Client from CT Trumbul , Connecticut

Please accept our deepest condolonces for your loss. Best regards, Jim Abriola and the staff at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home

Wendy L King August 16, 2022

Enter your relationship with Victor C. Chigas Indianapolis , Indiana

I want to express condolences on behalf of the board of directors, staff and members of the International Order of the Golden Rule. Victor was a good friend to the association and took great care of so many of our members. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Victor's family and friends.

Geraldine Oliverie August 17, 2022

Friend Manchester , New Jersey

So sorry for your loss. We will miss him. Geri

Skip, Dolores, Peter & Kelly Urban August 18, 2022

OGR Friends and Family Ambler , Pennsylvania

Chris, Lisa, Victor, and your families Please accept our heartfelt condolences and prayers on your father's death. I met your father on a few occasions in my early days at OGR and knew that he was a genuine and caring individual. May he rest in peace.

S. Chase Lewis August 18, 2022

Colleague and OGR memeber Milton , Florida

Chris & Lisa, I am so sorry about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you

Mary Flynn Steele August 23, 2022

OGR Pineville , Kentucky

Chris, I was so sorry to hear about your fathers passing. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.