Russell H. Seils

MADISON - Russell Henry Seils passed into the arms of his beloved Jesus on Wednesday, August 12, 2009. Born at home in La Crosse, on March 15, 1926 to Ferdinand and Wilhelmina Seils, Russ was the fourth of five children. His other siblings included a sister, Mildred, and three brothers, Algernon, DeVern, and Burton, all deceased. Russell graduated from Madison East High School with his younger brother, Burt, after serving in the army in WWII. He attended UW-Whitewater where, on June 21, 1952, he married Beulah McConnell. After leaving Whitewater, Russ held a number of different jobs, but the one he enjoyed the most was working as a Dane County Homemaker, the first male ever to hold that position, a fact which generated a number of newspaper interviews. Russ retired in the early '90's for health reasons. Over the years Russ enjoyed fishing, hunting, stamp collecting, and lapidary. Although they didn't have biological children, Russ and Beulah Seils had foster children for a couple of years. In addition, they took in numerous young people over the years, providing them a home away from home for various reasons. In the '60's, Russ & Beulah were youth group leaders in their church where they became close to the Burbacks, a struggling family with six young children. They took this family under their wing, providing help with everything from finances to friendship, and creating a relationship with the eldest daughter, Juanita, who lived with them while training to be a nurse and now considers herself their daughter. Russ enjoyed the staff and clients at St. Mary's Adult Daycare Center for several years, as well as those of Avalon Assisted Living Community where he resided for nearly two years and was so grateful to those who took the time to visit, send cards, or pray. Most recently he was cared for with great skill and compassion at the Belmont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He is survived by his wife, Beulah, loving almost-daughter Juanita (John) Rockhill, grandson James Rockhill and Jean (Mark) Breneman, and great-grandchildren Abigail and Harrison Breneman, along with special nephews and nieces Mark and Bonnie, and extraordinarily loving friends. Russell Seils loved his Lord and worshipped with his spiritual brothers and sisters at Faith Baptist, now known as Monona Oaks Community Church in Monona. Beulah and Juanita wish to give special thanks to Pastor Richard Concklin, Norm and Donna Bucholz, Phil Hubble and Nurse Becky Hamm for sharing their talents and love with us over the past week. Our gratitude to the staff of Meriter Hospital 11 Tower, especially Anita, for their compassion and loving care of Russell and his friends and family. He will be missed. Funeral services will be held at MONONA OAKS CUMMUNITY CHURCH, 6200 Monona Dr., Monona, today, Friday, August 14, 2009 at noon. Entombment will be in Highland Memory Gardens, Madison. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.