Arlene (Nickel) Ross

ARLENE ROSS

1931 - 2017

Obituary

Arlene (Nickel) Ross, 85, of Newton passed away peacefully with her husband, Ned Ross, by her side on Wednesday (Feb. 15, 2017).

Arlene was born to Gerhard (George) and Elizabeth Nickel on July 4, 1931, in Goessel, the fifth of six children. Arlene grew up with the family on a farm southeast of Lehigh. She graduated from Lehigh High School in 1948.

Arlene married Ned B. Ross on Feb. 28, 1953. Ned is from Iowa and was in the Air Force stationed in Salina when they met one evening at the roller skating rink in Newton. Arlene moved to Salina after they wed, where they they had their first-born child, Jon. One month later, they moved to Newton, where they made their home, raising their three children, Jon, Brad and Kim. Ned and Arlene would have been married for 64 years this Feb. 28.

Along with raising their children, Arlene worked many years as a bookkeeper for various car dealerships in Newton and the surrounding area and was a longtime employee of Newell Travel Center in Newton.

Arlene had many talents. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and playing the church organ in her early years. Her hobbies included crafts, crocheting, sewing, gardening, bowling with Ned in a mixed league and also in a woman's league. Arlene was very involved in the PTA when her children were growing up, along with teaching Summer Vacation Bible School.

Arlene loved children and nothing made her happier than having her family around her. Arlene and Ned were blessed with five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She loved watching her grandchildren grow up and, in recent years, thoroughly enjoyed watching their great-grandchildren playing when they came to visit their great-grandma and grandpa at Newton Presbyterian Manor.

Arlene moved to Newton Presbyterian Manor in 2011, joined by Ned in 2013, where she resided at the time of her death. She loved all of the staff who took such great care of her there.

Arlene loved her family and her dogs. Arlene and Ned were very supportive of rescue animals and always owned a dog, which they treated as part of their family. Their last dog, Sophie, moved with them to Presbyterian Manor along with Ned in 2013 and was a resident of the manor for two years until Sophie died.

Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, George and Elizabeth Nickel; brothers, Edie (Vera) Nickel of Kansas City, Kansas, Dr. Bernie (Dorothy) Nickel of Winfield and Walt Nickel of Anaheim, California; and sister, Martha (Otto) Hiebert of Newton.

Arlene is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Ned in Newton; brother, Dr. Gary and sister-in-law Judy Nickel of Independence; sons, Jon (Kathy) Ross of Newton and Brad (Ladonna) Ross of Winfield; daughter, Kim (Terry) Stubby of Helena Montana; five grandchildren, Mark (Hannah) Ross of Olathe, Evie (Chris) Tompkins of Merritt Island, Florida, Brandi Stubby of Helena, Montana, Christopher Ross of Park City and Brianna Ross of Emporia; four great-grandchildren, Morrigan Ross of Olathe, Emmeline Pederson of Helena, Montana, and Grace and Caleb Ross Tompkins of Merritt Island, Florida; in addition to many wonderful and loving nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Arlene's family extends their gratitude to Arlene's extended family at the Newton Presbyterian Manor, where Arlene and Ned have made many great friends and have been treated exceptionally well, with great care and love, by the Manor's staff.

A memorial service celebrating Arlene's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2017) at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton. A reception for all family and friends will immediately follow the service at The Breadbasket in Newton.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials in Arlene's name may be made to Caring Hands Humane Society of Newton or the American Heart Association . Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.

Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.