In Memory
CULBERTSON, Neb. — Mary Lou Ross, age 84, of Culbertson, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. Mary Lou was born on March 29, 1935 at Oberlin, Kan., one of 10 children, born to parents, Louis and Frances Emma (Richards) Ulrich. As a young child, the family moved to a farm near McCook. Mary Lou graduated from McCook High School with the Class of 1953. After graduation, she worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone as an operator. On April 29, 1958, she married Robert Floyd Ross. They made their home on a farm north of Culbertson where they raised their son, Jeffery. Besides being a busy mother and homemaker, Mary Lou worked for First National Bank in McCook. In 1963, she began working at the Culbertson Bank as a teller-bookkeeper and later assistant cashier. This dedication and career would span for the next 52 years under the staff of five Eisenhart presidents, until her retirement in 2015. Despite her demanding job with the bank, Mary Lou was also involved in several local and statewide organizations. She served three terms as president of Bethel Chapter 109 of the Order of Eastern Star in Culbertson; member of the Daughters of the Nile; member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson and Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook; she served on the Culbertson Cemetery District, of which she served as secretary-treasurer since 1982; and served as clerk for the Culbertson Village for many years. Mary Lou’s greatest honor came in 1991, when she was named Woman of the Year in Nebraska for Financial Women International. With this honor, Mary Lou traveled throughout Southwest Nebraska encouraging bank CEO’s to get their female staff members involved, signing up seven members in her tenure. When Mary Lou was not working, she enjoyed collecting rocks from the family’s many travels. She loved decorating her yard, especially Christmas. She enjoyed hosting and entertaining family and friends every Fourth of July in her backyard, before and after the parade. She enjoyed her time at home working in her yard, spending time with her family and friends, and shopping. Preceding her in death were her husband, Bob Ross; parents, Louis and Frances Ulrich; sisters, Carol Aardal, Anna Geihsler, Katharyn Prater and Marilyn “Kay” Michel; and brothers, LeRoy Ulrich and Robert Ulrich. Survivors include her son, Jeffery Ross of Culbertson; grandson, Kyle Leskiw of Carbondale, Colo.; sisters, Heddy Reiners of McCook and Genny Mowe of McCook; brother, Raymond (Nancy) Ulrich of Rock Ledge, Fla.; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends. Memorials may be given in her name. Memorial service will be Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, 2:30 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist in Culbertson with Pastor Rod Heilbrun officiating. Private family inurnment will be at a later date. Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook is entrusted with arrangements.
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