Mary Russell, age 94, a resident of Lombard, formerly of Brookfield, died surrounded by her family on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at home. She was born July 25, 1917 in Max, North Dakota.

Mary grew up on a farm near Max, North Dakota. She came to Chicago as a young woman where she met Joseph F. Fofonka who she married January 18, 1941. They raised their family in Brookfield.

She was an avid Bingo player and enjoyed card games. She loved her grandchildren as was always there to take care of them.

She is survived by her three daughters, Marilynn (Robert) Stephan of Kansas, Elaine Tate of Ohio, and Denise (James) Gritsonis of Glen Ellyn, nine grandchildren, Keith Sheridan, Connie Casdia, Kim Gillard, Mary Whited, Bonnie Cornell, and Maria, Angela, Christine and Isabelle Gritsonis, and eleven great-grandchildren, Ellie, Megan, Scott, Chloe, Celeste, Sage, Jacob, Joseph, Anneliese, Maxwell, and Olivia.

She was preceded in death by husband Joseph Fofonka, three brothers and two sisters.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2012 from 9:30 to 10:30 at College Church in Wheaton, Seminary and Washington St., where a funeral service will follow at 10:30. Interment will follow at Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) or STARS Ministry at College Church.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.