Helen Ross

June 26, 1919 - January 26, 2009

Helen Louise Ross, 89, formerly of 1786 -180th Street in Boone, passed away at the Boone County Hospital in Boone on Saturday morning, January 24, 2009. Helen had resided at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone since September of 2003. She was born on June 26, 1919 in Colfax Township, Boone County, Iowa the daughter of Homer Ray and Gladys Marie (Crispin) Freel. On January 3, 1940, she married Walter Lee Ross at the First Methodist Church parsonage. Helen graduated in 1937 from Jordan Consolidated School. She was a homemaker and had worked at Boone Farmers Mutual Insurance Company for 6 years. The couple farmed in the Boone area for several years on the Ross Century Farm. Helen enjoyed reading, doing Hardanger embroidery and crafts, having made over 35 quilts, which she gave to family members. She and Walt liked to travel and spent 15 years wintering in Texas. She was a member for over 50 years of the First United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and the Centennial Culture Club. Throughout the years, Helen was very active in the Order of Eastern Star Magi Chapter #139 in Boone having served as Past Matron; was a member of the Judea White Shrine in Ames; Grand Cross of Color; and served as Past Mother Advisor for the Boone Rainbow Girls Assembly. Her parents in 1990, husband Walt in 1992, sisters Shirley in 1961 and Sharon in 2003, and a niece Christine in 1961 preceded her in death. Survivors include 2 sons James Ross and wife Helen of Waukee and Kerry Ross and wife Carmen of Calera, Oklahoma; 1 daughter Debra Gach and husband Tim of St. Joseph, Missouri; 5 grandsons Jeff Ross and wife Darla of Runnells, Iowa, Craig Ross and wife Vicki of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Chris Ross of McKinney Texas, Jeremy Ross and wife Shaune of Kyle, Texas and Andrew Ross of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; 1 granddaughter Molly Gach of St. Joseph, Missouri; 11 great-grandchildren Alli Long and husband Nathaniel, Shanda Burke and husband Dan, Kayler and Mariah all of Runnells, Iowa, Joslyn and Elle both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Ashlyn, Jenna and Riley all of McKinney, Texas and Bella and Brayden both of Kyle, Texas; 1 sister Marilyn Frampton and husband DeWayne of Boone; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be held on Tuesday morning, January 27th at 10:00 a.m. at the Eastern Star Masonic Home Chapel in Boone with Rev. Philip Webb officiating with an Eastern Star service, conducted by Magi Chapter #139 of Boone immediately following the funeral service. Interment will be in the Boone Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Boone. Friends may call at the Eastern Star Masonic Home Chapel on Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends. Visitations will continue on Tuesday morning at the Chapel from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial may direct their memorial gift to the First United Methodist Church, 703 Arden Street, Boone, Iowa 50036 or the Eastern Star Masonic Home, 715 W. Mamie Eisenhower, Boone, Iowa 50036.