Doris L. Ross

Doris Loraine (Rowe) Ross, 88, of Topeka, passed away peacefully at Midland Hospice House after a long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis, on Sunday, March 17, 2013, surrounded by loving family members.

Doris was born near Scranton, KS, the daughter of Floyd Alfred Rowe and Laura May (Neely) Rowe. She lived most of her life in the Topeka area, attended Roosevelt Jr. High and Topeka High, graduating from Washburn Rural High School.

She entered Cadet Nurses Training at Stormont Hospital, but withdrew to marry her high school sweetheart, Charles L. Ross on November 22, 1944 in Vallejo, CA, prior to his U.S. Navy deployment to the South Pacific during WWII. Doris worked at the Topeka Supply Depot and Capitol Federal and became a licensed real estate associate, but most of her adult life was spent as a homemaker caring for her 5 children.

When she was a senior in high school, she joined the Seabrook Congregational United Church of Christ. She served in many capacities, including Deaconess, youth group leader, and president of the Women's Fellowship. She served as Scout Den Mother and on the mother's committee of the troop where her sons became Eagle Scouts, and was an assistant leader of her daughter's Brownie troop. She served on the Women's Executive Committee of the Kansas Electric Cooperatives and was an active member of the Women's Club of Topeka for over 35 years.

Doris was preceded in death by her mother, Laura (Neely) Rowe in 1932, her father, Floyd Rowe, in 1982, and her step-mother, Edna (Jones) Rowe, in 1996.

Doris is survived by her husband, Charles Ross of Topeka; one daughter, Marcia K. Ross of Fort Collins, CO; four sons, Steven L.(Louise) of Carthage, MO; Gary B. (Linda) of Manchester, MO; Richard D. of Topeka; Mark K. (Julie) of Overland Park, KS; two brothers, Delmas E. (Jeanne) Rowe of Ponca City, OK; Monty L. (Barbara) Rowe of Sanford, NC; four grandchildren, William (Tara) of Des Moines, IA, Scott of Hannibal, MO, Robert of Denver, CO, and Kristin of Topeka, KS; and four step-great-granddaughters, Morgan, Mandy, Jessica, and Stephanie.
Above all else, Doris was devoted to her family.

She was a dedicated wife of 68 years, and a loving mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed by family and friends, and remembered for her kindness and enthusiasm for life.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, March 20, 2013 Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A private family inurnment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.