Penwell Turner Funeral Home - Shelby, Ohio

Karen (Huston) Russell Mott

Karen (Huston) Russell Mott, age 75, of Huron, Ohio, passed away with family by her side on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 after fighting a second round of breast cancer for over a year.

Karen was born on December 28, 1944, in Barnesville, Ohio, to the late Earl and Edith (West) Huston. Growing up in Shiloh, “Red” graduated from Plymouth High School in 1962 and then Taylor University in 1966 where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Education.  She taught 1 year in Hobart, Indiana, before coming to Shelby City Schools where she spent more than 30 dedicated years teaching Shelby students before retiring in 2001.  She married Terry L. Russell in 1969 and together they had two daughters: Laura Reinbolt of Huron and Megan (David) Shook of Mansfield both whom survive, along with a grandson, Blake Terry Reinbolt, and great-granddaughter, Ava Jean Reinbolt.  Terry preceded Karen in death in 1989. In 1994 Karen married Richard A. “Dick” Mott, gaining 3 additional children and their families: John Mott (Nathan, Logan, Alison, Jackson) of Mansfield, Michelle (Riley) Post (Elizabeth, Saedi, Isaac, Solomon, Josiah, Gideon, Gabriel) of West Point, NY, and Steve (Jenny) Mott (Hailey, Kaitlyn, Anna) of Grayson, GA. Dick preceded Karen in death in 2015. Karen is also survived by her brother, Roderick (Vickie) Huston of Florida and a daughter-in-law, Theresa Milliron.

Karen was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Shelby, and then Shelby Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. She served as an adult Sunday School teacher, a home Bible study facilitator, a chairman of Christian Business and Professional Women’s Counsel of Mansfield, a founder and chairman of Shelby After Five Club, a Shelby Family YMCA board member, and a Campus Life/Youth for Christ facilitator for 23 years. After retiring to Huron, she was active at the Chapel and several Bible studies. “Gorgeous” loved God’s Word, time with her family and friends, laughing, singing, reading, traveling, chocolate, watching and enthusiastically yelling for her sports teams, and living near Lake Erie.  She was blessed with a large family and many close high school, college, Shelby, and Huron friends. The family would like to thank Patti Norcutt for all of her help and support.

Family and friends are welcome on Friday, December 4, 2020 from 4-7 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, Ohio 44875. Funeral services will be on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 10:30 am at Shelby Alliance Church, 105 East Smiley Avenue, Shelby, Ohio 44875. Karen’s funeral will be live streamed to the Shelby Alliance Church Facebook page for those wishing to connect virtually. Pastor Tim Young will officiate the services with burial following in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Shiloh. Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice or The Shelby Alliance Church with Campus Life written on the memo line.

Appropriate ways to express sympathy for those unable to attend may be done by leaving an online condolence at www.PenwellTurner.com or by leaving a comment on Karen’s obituary on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.

Memories & Condolence

  1. Lisa (Betts) Lear says:

    Laura, Megan and Family,
    My heart goes out to you. Love and prayers through this difficult time.

  2. Linda Zuercher says:

    I am so sorry for your loss. Karen was a very special lady.

  3. Monica Jenney says:

    We all can only hope that we leave half the legacy she has. She was an excellent teacher, we all loved her. Her class was fun but we learned so much. She was like warm sunshine on a cold day always smiling. After graduation I saw her at the cleaners and it was always a pleasure to chat with her. She will be greatly missed I am sure, but never forgotten. To her family, may your memories carry you thru the days to come and know she is always with you.

  4. Shirley Ross says:

    Karen was such a wonderful person. I have so many fond memories of her from when I was growing up. She always radiated light and sunshine with her smile to who ever met her. Prayers and peace for the family.

  5. Missy and Randy says:

    Our deepest condolences. It was a pleasure getting to know Karen over the years. May she Rest In Peace.

  6. Richard Lewis says:

    A very special lady and a special friend. God had a plan for Karen and she was a faithful servant to that plan touching many lives. I am sure she is now receiving her reward for a life well lived.

  7. Carol A Bernhardt says:

    I am so sorry to hear this. I have fond memories of Karen singing in the choir at church when we were in school.

  8. Anne Russell Vanmeter says:

    Laura, Megan and Family. My heart is with all of you during this difficult time and I wish I could be there. I loved my Aunt Karen sk much and my heart aches. She was so special and so loved. ❤

  9. Uncle Ed and Aunt Jean says:

    Jean and I once again want to express our sorrow at Big Red passing. She was a force, full of life and a truly good person. In her words she was “a corker.” She was a positive influence on hundreds of students. We will always love her and hold her memory in our hearts. May she rest in peace.

  10. Faye Cole says:

    Laura and Megan we are so sorry for your loss. Karen was a wonderful role model to many young people. She will be missed.

  11. Anita Ream says:

    Our family loved and respected your mom for her humor, kindness, faith, and grace. We are thinking of all of you during this difficult time. Love ~ Brad, Anita, Chelsea, and Molly

  12. Winningham says:

    Karen was indeed a very special person, both as a teacher, and much like your late father, a valued friend to my late mother. Thankfully she had two great daughters to be proud of but also a community of friends, former students, and family that could be immensely proud of her as well. We are all so very fortunate to have been positively impacted your mother. May she forever watch over your family and may God bless her beautiful soul. ❤️

  13. Crystal Burnfield says:

    Megan,
    Your mother was so special. I loved the times I got to spend with the two of you. I loved her energy, love of life, spunk, and ability to make anyone feel welcome and at ease. I see a lot of her in you. Praying for you and your family during this time.

  14. Fran & Dennis Longnecker says:

    We are so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful lady. May your memories comfort you.

  15. Mike Heifner says:

    Laura & Megan – Though the memories of watching the two of you riding your Big Wheels and bicycles down the hill at your Park Avenue driveway brought a smile to my face, my heart is saddened with the loss of your mom. Her smile, her red hair, her endless energy and her love of her two girls all made her a beautiful woman, inside and out. Today we lost a great teacher, a phenomenal mom and one of the most positive women I have ever had the pleasure to meet. My condolences to both of you.

  16. Linda Wilson says:

    Karen was my gym teacher in 2nd grade, English teacher in 8th grade, and years later a dear friend whom I sang with at the Methodist Church in Shelby. Her warmth, kindness, and laughter will always be great memories. My heart goes out to Laura, Megan, and Karen’s extensive family and friends.

  17. Steve and Ellen Haverfield says:

    Our deepest condolences to all the family. Karen will be truly missed but we will always remember her smile, laugh and love for her Lord, family and friends. She taught my son English and it made his day when he wrote a poem and she said, “Where have you been all my life!” She was always encouraging everyone. God bless you all with peace and the knowledge of His presence.

  18. Tim and Cathy Morse says:

    Laura and Meghan- The world is a little less bright today with the loss of your mother. Always ready with a smile, a story, or an ear, she truly was a gift to all who came into contact with her. Our deepest condolences to you and the rest of the family.

  19. Dave & Bonnie McQuown says:

    Our sympathy to daughters, Laura and Megan, brother Rod and their families in Karen’s passing.

  20. Tera (Teedi) Rouse says:

    One of my most favorite and beloved teachers ❤❤❤. Laura, Megan, and families, I’m so sorry for your loss, and I hope it helps to know she is rejoicing and she is at peace. It was so wonderful to be able to watch you make sure her last months/weeks/days were filled with every ounce of love you could fit in. She was one very special and blessed lady, and so many of us were blessed to be a part of her life. Love, hugs, and prayers being sent ❤

  21. Gary & Judith Stroup says:

    Megan, Laura, & Family –
    You have our heartfelt sympathy and prayers at this difficult time. If only family, friends and other caring people could do more to ease your pain. Your Mother was so special. God Bless, and may He grant you peace.

  22. Todd and Lorna Albert says:

    So sorry for your loss!! Wonderful teacher! Thoughts and prayers to the family.

  23. Marianne Akers Young says:

    We know where she is! I went to school with her and she was always the same-kind, funny, and inspirational. So glad to have had her be a part of my life. Prayers to you all.

  24. Brian King says:

    Megan, Laura, & Family,
    I’m very sorry for your loss. She was one of my most beloved teachers. Her teachings have transcended generations. I’ll always speak of her kindness and understanding ways. She made me a better Soldier, Dad and Man. My deepest condolences. ❤️ Thank You.

  25. Anne Stock says:

    Karen always brought life and laughter to all. She will be greatly missed. So sorry for your loss and admire all of your resilience during the struggle.

  26. Mindy Utz says:

    My deepest condolences.

  27. Vickie Mawhorr says:

    My sincerest sympathy for your loss. Karen was always so caring and kind, with a heart of gold. I’ll cherish the memories we shared as friends and neighbors.

  28. Christine Routh says:

    I am part of the New Chapter group at the Chapel in Sandusky. I only knew Karen for months but she quickly became one of the brightest gifts of my week as we met on Fridays. She has the quickest wit and funniest sense of humor of anyone I know and always made me laugh. She often added an apology that not everyone thought she was funny but oh,how I loved her wit. I am sure heaven is enjoying her humor now!
    May the Lord wrap His arms of love and comfort around you all! I know she looked forward to going home to heaven. May He give you a glimpse of the joy she is experiencing.

  29. Mary Dahlmann says:

    Our Thursday breakfast group will truly miss Karen and her contagious laughter. May she Rest In Peace.

  30. The Stepsis Family says:

    So sorry for your loss! We all have wonderful memories of Karen! She was a great colleague, teacher and friend! ❤️

  31. Edna Karnes says:

    Laura and Megan. Your Mom was a treasure to you Grandma and Grandpa Huston. We went to church together in Shiloh many years ago. Your mom was a little older than me, and I always was in awe of her when she was home from college. She always was do full of life and energy. Loved her. Praying that the good Lord blesses you both with many precious memories in the days to come. Love you. Edna

  32. Nancy Wisniewski says:

    Karen was a wonderful friend and colleague. We worked together at Shelby High School for many years and I will cherish the memories and conversations we shared.

  33. Sue & Bob Stover says:

    Please accept our sincere sympathy. The world has lost a very special lady. We are all better because we knew her & laughed with her. She will definitely be missed

  34. Connie B. says:

    Because of Covid 19, I lost touch with Karen. I got to know her through the womens Bible studies at the Chapel in Sandusky. We discovered so many mutual friends and past circumstances. She was so full of laughter
    and fun. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. My condolences yo her family.

  35. Tim & Kathy Armstrong says:

    Karen will be remembered for her kindness and laughter. So sorry for your loss.

  36. Steve and Barb Peebles says:

    So sorry for your loss. So lucky to have so many great memories to cling to during this tough time. Your mom made our world a better place!

  37. Uncle Craig &Aunt Marsha says:

    Karen was an amazing mother, teacher & friend.She will be remembered by so many for so many reasons..Her laugh was contagious, her love of family was never questioned, her friendship was was with an open heart.Karen’s love & belief oh God was always shared.
    Megan’ & Laura stepped up to be her care givers .Both of them were determined to make her have more good days then bad and
    They did just that! My love & deep sympathy to her whole family ❤️

  38. ronald johnson says:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family. Karen was beautiful inside and out. We went to church with her and her mom and dad who were great people. Love, Ron and Muriel Johnson

  39. EllenLawrence says:

    Karen will be greatly missed by myself and all who knew her. She was a good friend.There were few days that went by that I did not think of her.
    I know Megan and Laura will sorely miss their Mom. She will always be with them.I wish I could with you .

  40. Anetta Scofield says:

    Many special memories will be cherished about Karen. She was a lifelong friend who cared for others and lived her life as a child of God. May she rest in peace in her heavenly home. We will miss her. Heartfelt condolences to her family.

  41. Mark Bodkin says:

    I had Mrs. Mott for Honors English my freshman year of high school. I went on to take many more classes in high school, college, and graduate school, and none of them had as profound an impact on me as her class did. Mrs. Mott taught us how to write well—albeit sometimes under tough circumstances. She routinely gave us these “all or nothing” quizzes where we had to diagram sentences, identify parts of speech, and the like. You either got all ten questions correct or you received a zero. It was tough but effective. The things I learned about grammar and writing in her class still stick with me more to this day than anything else I learned along the way in school. I am sorry to hear of her passing.

  42. Susan (Rhodes)Hogsette says:

    I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mother was one of my BEST and favorite teachers. She invested her time, talent and love in her students. What a true gem! God bless and keep you all!

  43. Barbara Smith says:

    To Laura and Megan,
    Your Mom was a special lady. I respected her in many ways.

    I especially remember how proud she was of Blake when she came to his Kindergarten program at Russell.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  44. Mel Hughes (Frog) says:

    Karen. I stress at the thought of loosing such a friend.
    We grew up together in Shiloh and had many wonderful times during those years. My wife and I know that the good times are to come and the surffering to pass.
    May God assist you on your journey.
    God bless you Karen. You will be missed.

  45. Carol Edgar and Bill Varble says:

    Dear Megan and Laura,
    So sorry about your Mother. She was a wonderful woman to teach with and will be missed. Bill and I planned to come to Shelby for calling hours but Covid has skyrocketed in Ohio. Bill will be 90 and I will be 80 so decided not to chance coming into a group. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mother was a good friend.
    With Love, Carol Edgar and Bill Varble

  46. Janet Kehres says:

    Megan and Laura,
    Karen’s smile would light up a room. She touched a lot of hearts in Shelby and will be missed. She will live on through her two wonderful girls. She was proud of you and I am sure she is happy being with Terry again. May God be with you during this difficult time. She is in a wonderful place and she will be smiling down upon you.
    We are very disappointed that we can’t visit during calling hours, but with Richland County being a “Purple” code, at our age we can’t risk it. I want to give both of you a big hug, but even if we could come to calling hours, I would not be able to because Covid-19.
    Hugs, prayers, and love.

  47. john niver says:

    To Megan & Lora,
    We are sorry to learn of your mothers passing but we know she had an exceptional life here on earth and know that she will do many great things with her heavenly father. I worked for her parents & babysat her and her brother many many times. they were my extended family. The loss runs deep for me.Rod can tell you I was always there for them.
    Helen

  48. Barb & Ed Beer says:

    Karen was such a friendly energetic personality! She will be missed by all who knew her. To her family , she will be a warm spot in your hearts forever. Our sincere condolences.

  49. Dan & Barb Humphrey says:

    We did not get to know Karen until a few years ago. She and Dick became good friends even though we were in Fredericktown and they were in Shelby and later on Huron. Always a great host, always sincere, and always enjoyed a good laugh.
    Maybe part of our friendship was because Barb was a high school English teacher and I was a retired school superintendent.
    It was Karen that introduced us to the Chapel in Sandusky.
    Sending our love to the family and greatly missing a wonderful lady.

  50. Kathy Greenich says:

    Teacher, friend, Christian sister…thank you for sharing her with me, our family, and so many others! Her love was enough to make so many feel special! So glad God prompted me to stop by in the summer of 2019 for a visit! Hugs, Megan and Laura. She loved you both so much!

  51. Kathy schaefer says:

    Laura,Megan and family, I am so sorry about your mom. She was a great lady . I knew way back when she and your dad were teachers and in school system. Both great people . I will send prayers your way, know how it is to lose someone

  52. Ellie and Stan Wood says:

    Dear Megan and Laura,
    We are so very sorry for the loss of your dear mom. Please know you have been in our thoughts and prayers as you walked with your mom through these last months. May you feel the love and prayers of friends surrounding you.Immanuel…God with us.Love to you and the family,
    Ellie and Stan Wood

    I

  53. Alan Huston says:

    My sympathies go out to all the Hustons, Russells, and Motts that were touched and influenced by Karen’s life on earth. She was one of a kind, a friend, and special cousin to me. She was a true reflection of Christ during her life on earth. I will miss her, but I also rejoice she is now in Christ’s eternal kingdom for all eternity.

    1 Peter 1:3-5

    3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

  54. Gary Cole says:

    Laura and Megan,
    Your mom was a special person. Always enjoyed her enthusiasm and humor. She was a good colleague and was a good role model. Many good memories!!

  55. Barkema Gals says:

    Our sincere condolences, but we all know Heaven gained a great one. Her infectious laugh and forever faithful heart lifted so many of us up. He was truly one in a trillion! My girls and I enjoyed living next door and she always wore a smile. Her legacy and positivity will endure. Hugs to all. Marcy, Lyla and Hadley from Miami Place.

  56. Sheree G. Leonhardt says:

    Karen has been a friend since I met her in Shelby years ago at the First United Methodist Church. However, in the past 6 years, since I moved to Sandusky, she has led me to my precious Bible Study group and studying God’s Word. I’ve cherished her wisdom, great friendship, gentleness, and joyfulness. She’s now in paradise singing in her angelic voice and celebrating!
    Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” Karen!

  57. Brad and Wendey Laser says:

    Russell, Mott and Huston families – Karen was one of a kind. Bubbly. Energetic. Outspoken. Fun. But best of all – she lived out a Christ-centered life! What a great legacy she has provided to all of us. We pray the Lord comforts and blesses you in the coming days.

  58. Nancy and Rich Gordon says:

    Sorry we couldn’t be with you, but you are in our prayers and thoughts. We will always remember Karen’s beautiful smile and will miss seeing her in the neighborhood.

  59. Karlene Browne says:

    I am so very sorry for your loss . Karen was such a sweet woman. I am so happy I got the opportunity to meet her and her girls whom she loved dearly.

  60. Sally Routh says:

    It has been a joy reading these beautiful testimonials to my friend. I met Karen thru our precious Friday morning bible study. She will be so missed. Her love for Jesus and her family was seen every week. What a wonderful woman! She is now in Glory! Thank You, God!

  61. Traci Moorhead Seibert says:

    Prayers for Karen’s family. I remember her being our gym teacher at Dowds, 1969. My mom knew her mother in law very well, Maryjane. They lived on plymouth springmill, around the corner and down the road from Taylortown where we lived. I had text her one day and we chatted, she was surprised I remembered , as it was years back. I said, I dont forget GOOD people. RIP Dear Karen.

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