Ernestine Marie (Butler) Grizzle, 78 of Russell died Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell, Kansas.

Ernestine was born March 26, 1934 in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Leonard George and Katherine June (Holloway) Butler.  She grew up and attended schools in Enid, Oklahoma.

Ernestine was united in marriage to Leon Edwin Grizzle on August 30, 1952 in Enid, Oklahoma.  This union was blessed with five children, Phillip, Robert, Richard, Patricia and Theresa.  In 1958 they moved from Enid to Russell, Kansas.

Ernestine was a cook for the Nickerson Farms Restaurant and the Kiley Truck Stop.  She also was a nurse’s aide for the Russell Regional Hospital and Alafern Nursing Home.

Ernestine was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church.  She loved dogs, crocheting and knitting, cooking, doing crafts and attending garage sales.  But most important was spending time with her family.

Surviving family include her husband of 59 years, Leon of the home; three sons, Phillip Grizzle (Kim) of Cushing, Oklahoma, Robert Grizzle (Dorothy) of Eudora, Kansas and Richard Grizzle (Mary) of Hays, Kansas; two daughters, Patricia Dillon of Russell, Kansas and Theresa Ehrlich (Ron) of Hays, Kansas; sister, Juanita Gay of Alta Vista, Kansas; 13 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Glenna Butler and grandson, Christopher Ehrlich.

Celebration of Ernestine’s Life will be held at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell with Pastor David Jones officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM at the mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  A memorial has been established with First Southern Baptist Church.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.