Donella Ross

Donella Rae Ross, 87, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2015, at Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.

She was born October 4, 1927, at home in Benton, Iowa, the daughter of Donald and Jennie (German) Cornelison. Donella grew up in Oakland and Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. She later attended Drake University where she met Hugh Ross. Donella and Hugh were united in marriage on April 14, 1949, in Des Moines. They moved to Atlantic in 1951. Donella went to work for Hanke Jewelry once her kids were all in school. After the jewelry store she became part owner of 7 Trunks Antiques and later went to work with Hugh at Beaudine Manufacturing where she was the office secretary.

Donella and Hugh loved antiques and were pickers long before picking became popular. She loved to play bridge and golf. Donella was a great cook and loved trying new recipes. Donella was a past president of the Cass County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was also a member of the United Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Ross; her parents, Don and Jennie Corneilson; her parents-in-law, Walter and Marion Ross; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, JoAnn & Sam Preston; and brother-in-law, Fred Shellman.

Donella is survived by her daughters, Diann (Dick) McLaren of Atlantic, IA, Barbara (Lynn) Baier of Atlantic, IA, and Karen (Brent) Page of Iowa City, IA; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Peggy Shellman of Tucson, AZ; brother-in-law, Bob (Pat) Ross of Cedarburg, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Donella's life will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2015, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Heritage House in Atlantic, IA.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Good Samaritan Fund at the Heritage House.