Lieselotte (Lilo) Russell was born in Wiesbaden-Bierstadt, Germany on April 10, 1941 to Josef and Paula Hohmann. Lilo was born at her parent’s home on Privatstrasse (Private Street) in Bierstadt, where her family had their carpentry business. Lilo attended school in Bierstadt until age 15, then went on to a commercial trade school in Wiesbaden on Wilhelmstrasse and graduated in 1957. After graduating, she worked at the Wiesbadener News and later worked for an insurance company.
In 1960, she met the love of her life, Patrick James Russell. They met on a blind date arranged by her friend, who was dating an American serviceman who was friends with Pat. Lilo and Pat were married on April 20th, 1961. Together, they moved to Seligman, Arizona, where they raised three children and built a life along Route 66. Lilo stayed home to raise her 3 children until 1973 when she began working at the Copper Cart, where her love of serving patrons traveling Route 66 began. Lilo’s passion for quality food and providing friendly service led her to open Westside Lilo’s Cafe in 1996 with her daughters, Nancy and Brenda. She worked tirelessly alongside her family until her passing on January 12th, 2025. Lilo has created a lasting legacy that will live on through her family and the community she loved. We will miss her immensely.
Lilo is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Pat, her parents, Josef and Paula (Mayer) Hohmann, and her grandson, Trent James. Lilo is survived by her three children, Nancy Echeverria(Cliff), Brenda Kiel(Dean), and Patrick Jr.(Kay); grandchildren, Rocque(Melissa), Josef(Paige), Allysa, Robert, Patrick III, John Rand(Cecilia), and Kaitlin; great-grandchildren, Carlos(Katie), Ceaser, Rocque Jr, Elias Josef, Emberly and Noella.
On Friday, January 31st, there will be a rosary in honor of Lilo at 7 pm at the St. Francis Catholic Church, 22440 Schoney Ave, Seligman, AZ.
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 1st at 11 am at the Seligman High School Gymnasium, 500 Main Street, Seligman, AZ, with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Lilo’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Seligman, AZ Welcome Arches at https://gofund.me/c6906476.The family would like to extend special thanks to Seligman Fire District Chief Gary Bennett and his team.
