Obituary of Charles Russell Covington

On September 9, 1932, Russell’s Dad and siblings, Sam Jr., Margaret, Vivienne, Bob, and Marion were in the field piling beans as was the rule at that time of year. Along late afternoon, Cora Knutson (Freeman) came running to the field waving a towel. She told Sam to get the Doctor. Dad had to go to Welanders to use their telephone. But before they got back, Mom gave birth with the help of Cora, 18 years old. I was named, Charles Russell. We lived about six miles NE of Genoa. Then on April 2, 1935, my younger sister Lorraine was born. Later we moved NW of Genoa. We lived in the Genoa area for many years. I attended Genoa schools for 12 years. In February of 1953 I spent two years in the army, serving in California, Korea, and Hawaii. After discharge I worked for farmers in the Genoa area. In 1955 I went to work for Charles McCarthy in the Lincoln Theatre, running the projectors. In March of 1957, I was hired by the Colorado Department of Highways. On June 29, 1957, I married Elaine Sutton, daughter of Elmer and Cynthia Sutton from the Flat Top Area. To this union were born four children: Vianne Kay, Christy Renee, Jeffrey Charles, and a baby boy who was stillborn. I worked for the Colorado Department of Highways for 31 years until 1988. 18 ½ years with the Engineers and for 12 ½ years in Highway Maintenance. My wife, Elaine and I also built 2 mobile home parks which we owned and operated, one until 1975. I remodeled 2 houses: one I sold in 1990 and one I rented until 2001. Our children went to school in Limon and then attended college. In 1988 I was elected to the position of County Commissioner for Lincoln County for 8 years. Elaine and I bought the Sutton Ranch then sold off the land with the buildings. Elaine was the one with the brains and drive for these acquisitions. Elaine and I were members of the RLDS Church. I belonged to the Masonic Lodge, the Limon Heritage Museum and several other boards. In 2008 Shikha, Kamrul and Mahpara came from Bangladesh for a visit. They became a second family to us and Shikha assisted in taking care of Elaine for the next 1 ½ years when she was diagnosed with ALS. There was never a better nurse. A few years later she took care of my sister, Vivienne Moldenhauer, through her final days. After many hard years of school, Kamrul recently received his PhD. from the School of Mines. Mahpara, Mahira, and spending time with all my grandkids has been the light of my life. I’ve walked across the Mackinac Bridge (in Michigan) with my grandsons and was able to take them on many rides on my old orange tractor. I enjoyed going on surprise trips to Texas to see my granddaughters, especially when it involved trips to the beach. I enjoyed searching for rocks, seashells, sand dollars, and starfish. Getting stuck in Pipe Creek in the ice storm with them was quite a fun adventure! Jeff has always been very helpful to me, but during the last few years, I couldn’t have survived without him. He was always there for me with snacks, to watch TV with, to bring me my pup, to take me to appointments, to bring me ice cream, or just to watch me sleep. I never thanked him enough and never told him enough how much he was loved, but I hope he knows. I couldn’t have asked for a better son. Take care of your health, Jeff, and do more fishing. Surviving me are Vianne Kay, daughter and husband Vernon Lee, Christy Renee, daughter and husband Paul, and Jeffrey Charles, son. I have 3 married granddaughters: Gina Leigh and husband Stephen, Cassandra Anne and husband Jeremy, and Michelle Marie and husband Ryan. My 3 grandsons are: Andrew Ryan, Evan Daniel, and Alex Michael. I also have a great-granddaughter, Claire Renee, a great-grandson, Jameson Paul and a great-step-granddaughter, Ashylnn Grace. Also surviving me is my second family, Kamrul, Shikha, Mahpara and Mahira. Memorial Services will be held at the Love Funeral Home Chapel at 10:00 a.m. on October 8, 2022.