Kathryn Darlene (Starkjohann) Ross, 85, of Valentine, passed away November 6, 2023 at her ranch home near Sparks.
Kathryn was born April 3, 1938 at Brown County Hospital in Ainsworth, to Fred and Esther Starkjohann.
Kathryn went to grade school at Happy Hollow Dist. 72 in Keya Paha Co. She graduated in 1956 from Keya Paha High School in Springview.
She worked as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell after graduation in Valentine for two years then met and married JD Ross on June 8, 1958. Except for living in Valentine for 10 years, home has always been on the home place in western Keya Paha County.
In this union two children were born, Michael James on April 26, 1959 and Kay Lynn on April 10, 1966. After raising her children she worked at the Valentine Sale Barn Cafe from 1985 to 1988 and the Spark’s store from 1986 to 1990.
Kathryn enjoyed DixieLand and Country music —Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley were her favorites. It’s fair to mention that Ray Steven’s song Mississippi Squirrel was often cranked up high and she always said she wanted that played at her funeral. She loved Milky Way bars and chocolate chip cookies, which she always had in the freezer ready for visitors.
She loved going to the rodeos and watching her own kids, and later on her grandkids, and finally the great grandkids, participating in the events.
She loved to watch Major League Baseball on TV. When the World Series was over, she and JD enjoyed going to the basketball games to watch the grandkids play. It helped make for a long winter season to go faster. JD and Kathryn enjoyed all their 28 trips to Branson, MO they took each fall together.
Kathryn is preceded in death by her husband, JD Ross (7-16-21); parents, Fred and Esther Starkjohann; in-laws Martin and Christine Ross; half brother, John R Reinoehl; and special friend like a sister, Evelyn Kinzer.
Kathryn is survived by her son, Mike (Paula) of Wellfleet; children, Bailey (Jake) Warren, Pryce, Paityn, and Pratt; Brett (Chantelle) Colburn, Harper and Alphonse, and Brittany Colburn; daughter, Kay(Jerry) Stoner of Kilgore; children, Shara (Trent) Ford, Bentley, TC, and Brekyn; Cody (Jodi Mosher), Tell (Emily), Hallee, Talon and baby due in May; Kylee (Cord) Hesseltine, Adaline, Wynn and Wacy, and Tyce Stoner. Nieces Juanita Perry and family; Arlis Vargas and family.
Graveside service was held Friday, November 10, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge.
