Janessa Laree (Elder) Russo

Janessa Laree Russo, 39, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 5, 2020, at the home she shared in Parker, Colorado, with her husband, Jason, and their three children, Bryson, Belle, and Kate. 

Janessa, the precocious first-born of Jerry and Tami Elder, was born on June 21, 1981, in Grand Coulee, Washington. She grew up on a farm in Washington, where she enjoyed riding ATVs, driving a truck during harvest, and being involved in her church youth group. Janessa met Jason while they were both attending Eastern Washington University, and moved to Colorado with him and they were married in 2003. 

Ever since she was little, Janessa charmed everyone she encountered. Her outer beauty matched her inner beauty; she was a kind and gentle soul who always saw the best in others and was a loyal and supportive friend to many people. 

Janessa was a wonderful wife and mother who loved her family fiercely and was so proud of all their accomplishments. She loved following and encouraging her children’s activities, and she enjoyed attending baseball games and concerts, camping, hiking, and cooking with her family.

She will be forever missed, but those she left behind count themselves grateful to have known her. She is survived by her husband, Jason; her children, Bryson, Belle, and Kate; her parents Jerry and Tami; her sister Kara and brother-in-law Braeden; her sisters-in-law Shannon and Britney and their families; her brother-in-law Sean and his family; and her grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Janessa’s favorite charity was Feed My Starving Children. She first started supporting the organization in 2017 and has been a supporter since. For those who would like to, please make a donation in Janessa’s memory to Feed My Starving Children at www.fmsc.org.