Donna Russell

Donna Russell

 August 17, 1942~March 29, 2023

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-6 pm, Saturday, May 13, 2023, at The Tiger Lily Inn, 215 south Fourth, Jacksonville, Oregon 97503. Please send flowers or cards to 1505 Summit Ridge Circle, Medford, Oregon 97504 in care of the Whiteheads.

Donna was born in Hillsboro, Oregon the daughter of Charles and Junetta Drake. She is survived by her son Jeff (Dee) Norte, Austin, Texas, her daughter Jennifer (John) Whitehead, Medford, her stepdaughter Kelly Russell of Medford, and stepson Kirk Russell of Baja Sur, Mexico, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Sister, Linda Clites of Yamhill, Oregon also survives Donna.

Donna was raised in the Portland, Oregon area and graduated high school from Woodrow Wilson in the class of 1960. After high school she moved to southern Oregon, where eventually she married Mike Russell on July 1, 1979 in Big Piney, Wyoming. Mike recently passed away on February 7, 2022.

Donna and Mike owned/operated Russell Farms in the Rogue Valley for many years. In the mid-1990s they moved over to the Klamath basin where they continued their farming operations.

While they spent a lot of the year farming, they also developed lifelong relationships while spending time in their home in Baja Sur, Mexico. Donna and Mike enjoyed family and friends, fishing, and exploring Baja with their dogs.

Donna lived life to the fullest, enjoying the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. She loved animals, especially her dogs and horses. She was well known for her 'green thumb' growing beautiful plants and flowers. Everyone that met her couldn't help but to love her...she was loved by all.