Marie Ross

Marie A. Ross, 74, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Monday, November 3, 2008, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.

Marie Amelia Connot was born on November 11, 1933, in Spencer, Nebraska, the daughter of John U. and Marie R. (Roeder) Connot. She was the youngest of eight children.

Marie attended country school near Spencer, Nebraska, and in 1951 graduated from St. Mary's Academy in O'Neil, Nebraska.

On August 30, 1952, she married her true love and very best friend, Al Ross, in Spencer, Nebraska. They lived for a while in Omaha and Des Moines before moving to Atlantic on September 1, 1959.

She was a stay at home mother for their four children. In 1970 she and Al started a small local trucking company and named it Atlantic Carriers. Atlantic Carriers now employs two of their children and five of their grandchildren.

After retiring, the couple had many lovely trips in their motor home throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. They had a second home in Mesa, Arizona, where they were snow birds for 20 years.

Marie was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic. She volunteered for many church events and was also involved in many community activities and events.

In her spare time Marie enjoyed making jewelry, knitting and other various crafts. She and Al enjoyed playing golf both in Arizona and Atlantic. Most recently she spent most of her time quilting. Marie was an avid card player, with Bridge being one of her favorites. She loved spending time with her family and friends, and was very proud of her grandchildren.

Marie is survived by her husband, Al Ross of Atlantic, Iowa; her children, Beverley Starkey and her husband, Dr. Michael Starkey of Omaha, Nebraska, Dave Ross of Atlantic, Iowa, and Debbie Bateman-Crawford and her husband, Roger of Atlantic, Iowa; her grandchildren, Nick Ross and his fiancé, Natalie Raub, Nathan Ross, Chelsea Ross, Andy Bateman, Joey Bateman, Sam Bateman, and Max Bateman all of Atlantic, Iowa, Luke Crawford of Hamilton, Ohio, Jaime Johnson and her husband, Chad of Brooks, Iowa, and Josh Crawford of Des Moines, Iowa; her sisters, Helen Kayl of Spencer, Nebraska, Anne Fish and her husband, Hank of Spencer, Nebraska, and Joan Timian of Tuscon, Arizona; her sisters-in-law, Leta Sheldon and Carolyn Colfax both of Spencer, Nebraska; and her beloved dog, Abby.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Marie Connot; her son, Robert Michael Ross; her brothers, Henry and Toney Connot; and her sisters, Dorothy Hazelhorst and Leona Martin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 8, 2008, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, Iowa.

Burial will be in the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Atlantic.

A visitation will be from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 7, 2008, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic. A scriptural wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Hockenberry's.

Memorials may be made to Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church or the YMCA Partnership with Youth.