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.
