Susanne Ross

Susanne Ross, 77, of Alma, died Tuesday, July 21st, 2009, at Mercy Regional Health Center with her family by her side. Susanne was born on June 16, 1932 in Ludwigshaven (A-Rh) Germany. She was the daughter of Christian and Barbara (Kimmell) Ochs. She was raised on the family farm until her home was bombed out during WWII. She spent most of her childhood running to bunkers avoiding the overhead bombs that were dropped without notice. On April 7, 1956 she married the love of her life, Earl Ross while he was stationed overseas. Susanne was on a ship sailing over to the United States in 1960 the very day JFK was announced as the next president. She was a loving and dedicated military wife and mother and moved several times, as the military often requires, with never a complaint. In 1964 after working diligently, attending night school and studying very hard, she earned her United States Citizenship. From that day on she was a proud American and wore her flag pin everyday to show her dedication to this country. In 1973 her husband retired from the United States Army and they moved to Alma in 1975. She worked at K-State for three years before obtaining employment with Alma High School where she worked for 18 years as the custodian before retiring in 1994. Susanne would speak on her experiences for the high school history class and proudly shared her fascinating story to many students throughout the years. In addition to working full time, being a mother and wife, she helped out with the farm, often driving the John Deere with her husband. She and Earl built and operated City Farmers Flea Market that originated from an old chicken house in Alma and eventually expanded into the old Sears Department Store and later the JC Penney’s store in Manhattan. After 20 years of owning and operating the market, she an Earl finally retired. She touched hundreds of lives and never knew a stranger. She loved Alma, her country, her husband and her family and will be sorely missed and truly is an irreplaceable soul. Survivors include: her loving husband, Earl Ross of Alma, KS; her daughters, Chris Leven of Kansas City, MO, and Barbie Shoemaker and her husband Curt of Riley, KS; her sons, Manfred Clay Ross and his wife Debbie of Wichita, KS and Les Ross and his wife Susan of Montezuma, MO; her 7 grandchildren, Sheila Dawn, Jeremy Redman, Corey Ross, Brandon Ross, Lindsy Cusic, Aron Ross and Bret Shoemaker; her 5 great grandchildren, her sister, Maria Hoffman and several nieces and nephews of Germany. Susanne was preceded in death by her parents and 2 sisters. Funeral services will be Monday July 27th at 12:00 noon at Stewart Funeral Home of Alma with burial following at 2:00 p.m. at Ft. Riley Veterans Cemetery. The family will hold no formal visitation but she will lie in state at the funeral home on Sunday July 26th from 12-6:00 p.m. A memorial has been established in Susanne’s name for the ASPCA, as she had a special love for animals, and contributions may be left in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 126, Alma, 66401.