Katherine Elizabeth Ross (Wilson)

Katherine Elizabeth (Wilson) Ross
October 19, 1936 ~ May 28, 2017

Katherine Elizabeth (Wilson) Ross, 80 of Lafayette, IN was a long-time resident of the Lafayette area, died Sunday, the 28th of June at IU Health Arnett Hospital with family at her bedside.
Born in 1936 in Olney Springs, Colorado Katherine (Kathy) graduated from Olathe High School in 1955. She married Merrill Arthur Ross JR., of Olathe, her high school sweet heart and had a family of two daughters and three sons. They later divorced.
Kathy worked at Purdue in the hospital cafeteria as a cook, then at General Foods where she made many life-long friends. Upon the closing of General Foods she worked at Purdue in the Ag Administration Building in housekeeping until her retirement.
Kathy loved good food and socializing, going to movies and plays with friends and family. She enjoyed flower arranging and working in her yard. She was an avid fan of the Purdue Women’s Basketball Team. She loved traveling to Colorado to visit family. She had a wonderful smile that could light up a room and loved being called ‘Queen Mother’.
She is survived by her sister, Elaine Marie Becker of Montana; a brother, Walter Leroy Wilson of Colorado and children, Curt (Laurie) Ross of Remington, IN, Karen Buchholz of Lafayette, IN, Bryan (Emilia Chaffee) Ross of Westerville, OH, Brenda Ross of West Lafayette, IN; six grandchildren, Kirstin and Keven Ross, Brian (Heather) Buchholz, Jennifer (Greg) Hamilton, Chad and Zachary (Nona) Pitts; eight great-grandchildren, the youngest being seven month old Sadie Hamilton. Kathy was preceded in death by her two brothers and five sisters; ex-husband Merrill Ross Jr, Son Gregory Ross.
Memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association or the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. A visitation for family and friends will be at the Soller-Baker Funeral Home, Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., on Saturday, June 3rd from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, June 8th at 1:00 P.M. at Grand View Cemetery, west of Montrose. Sharing memories, condolences and sign the guestbook at www.crippinfuneralhome.com. Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory in Montrose is assisting the family.