Irma Ross

Irma Ross, 98, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, May 21, 2012 at the Pleasant Manor Care Center. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 24, 2012, beginning at 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. that evening. The funeral service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 902 S. Walnut Street, at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, May 25th with the Reverend Doug Darnold officiating. Memorials have been established to the First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Pleasant and to The Sanctuary Foundation (www.fromholyground.org/), founded by Loretta Ross, which is a center for prayer and spiritual nurturing. Interment will be at the Forest Home Cemetery. Born August 2, 1913, in rural Salem, IA, Irma Faye was the daughter of Perry Manley and Elsie Ellen (Van Dorin) Mendenhall. She attended Salem High School graduating in 1932. On May 1, 1934, she married Orlendes "Pat" Ross at her parent's home of rural Salem. For many years Irma worked as an Avon representative. She had also worked as a receptionist for the optometrist, Dr. Deal. Always a homemaker, Irma's care for her family included sewing and gardening. An accomplished writer and poet, Irma was published in Lyrical Iowa, Ideals Magazine, and was read on WHO Radio's "Starlight Road" program. She was a 70 year member of Scribblers and the Mt. Pleasant Literary Association. She was also a member of Questers and the Mt. Pleasant Art Club, where she was once chosen as the Mt. Pleasant Artist of the Year. Irma prolifically designed and created numerous Apple Dolls, which she often displayed, especially at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion. She had once served as the public relation chairman for the Girl Scout Council. Irma also had received the Joan Morrison Friend of Education Award. Growing up as a member of the Quaker Church, she later joined the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant. Survivors include two daughters, Nancy (William) Garretson of West Des Moines, IA and Loretta Ross of Topeka, KS; one son, Perry (Becky) Ross of Iowa City, IA; seven grandchildren, Jane (Alex) Galyon, Owen (Robin) Garretson, Wendell (Pamala Henning) Garretson, Diana (John Samels) Ross-Gotta, Cicelia Ross-Gotta, Angela (Will) Rubel and Heather Ross; and seven great-grandchildren, Jazmin and Bree Rubel, Andrew, Zachary and Olivia Galyon, and Kyle and Grace Garretson. Preceding Irma in death are her parents; husband, Pat; and one brother, Everett Mendenhall.