Frances Parker Ross

Frances Parker Ross of Spirit Lake died January 18, 2010, of congestive heart failure in Prescott, Ariz. She was born April 10, 1922 at her farm home near Newburg, Iowa.

She majored in music at Grinnell College where she met her husband, Bob Ross in 1939. They married September 3, 1942. To this marriage came 5 children: Larry Ross of Arnolds Park; Dr. Carl Ross (Nancy) of Leona, Texas; Kathy Saunders of Prescott, Ariz.; Mary Franken (John) of Spirit Lake and Jane Ross-Lujan of Los Alamos, N.M.

Fran grew up loving horses, wildlife, and music. In high school she was a star basketball player and catcher for the softball team. Fran was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, dedicated to raising her family of five. She still made time to share her beautiful contralto voice at many gatherings, church, and weddings and she was an active member of LBU and PEO.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, her five children; five grandsons, Jeff and wife, Kim (Carl); Jason and wife, Lisa; Greg and wife, Angela (Larry); Thomas and Kevin (Jane); great grandchildren, Noah and Ryan (Jeff), Nicolas and Makenzie (Jason), and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Esther (Wallace) Parker, and her brother, Paul.

No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Humane Society.