Elizabeth “Liz” Russell Olday was born on Dec. 22, 1947, to Mary and Dale Russell in Akron, Ohio. The oldest of eight siblings - David (Cathy) Russell, the late Kathleen Boyd, Neal (Susan) Russell, Georgia (Rick) Quinn, Bruce Russell, Janice (Mark) Pagni and Carole (Andy) Baker - she grew up in Brimfield, Ohio, before becoming a longtime resident of Fargo, North Dakota.

In 1965, Liz graduated from Field High School, then continued her education at Kent State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in education. For many years, Liz worked with individuals with disabilities at CHI Friendship in Fargo. She was also an active member of her church and a volunteer in her community, including time spent serving as a seamstress in community theater, supporting Friends of the Public Library, and volunteering at the Hijkomst Museum.

Though she was often a person of few words, as evidenced by the obituary she penned for herself below, Liz was known by her friends to be kind, caring and passionate about the things that were important to her. She will be missed by her family and friends.

Liz, a transplant Ohio educator, went to dance with the milkweed fairies on June 3, 2026. A guiding principle of her life was to walk gently on the Earth while leaving behind more good than harm. A celebration of her life will be held at the Fargo Moorhead Unitarian Universalist Church on Wednesday, July 8, at 3 p.m. Please make donations to your favorite social justice cause in lieu of flowers.