Rose Ross

Rose M. Ross, 90, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at Sunnybrook Assisted Living in Mt. Pleasant. Visitation will be held from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 17, 2013, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. that afternoon. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the Faith Christian Outreach Church with Pastor Gary Van Nyhuis officiating. Interment will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials have been established to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. On line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com Born in Fontana, CA, on February 11, 1923, Rose Margaret was the daughter of Antonio and Dominica "Minnie" Smiroldo Cina. She was educated in the Los Angeles area. Rose married Russell H. Ross on February 18, 1945, in Glendale, CA. He preceded her in death on October 7, 2010. During World War II, Rosie worked in material control and purchasing for Lockheed Aircraft. Following her marriage, she moved to Mt. Pleasant. She worked as a crew chief detassling corn for Cargill. She then worked as a nurse's aid at M.H.I. Over the years, Rosie was always involved in food service. She served hot lunches at Manning School and the Mt. Pleasant Community High School. She also worked for Saga Food Services at Iowa Wesleyan College and ended her career as a food demonstrator at Hy-Vee. Active at church in both California and Iowa, Rose attended Green Mound Church of God, First Baptist Church and Faith Christian Outreach Church. She started the Vietnam Mother's Club, was involved with mission circles, served as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, was a deaconess at First Baptist Church and thoroughly enjoyed Bible study. Rose was a prolific gardener and canned many of her home grown fruits and vegetables. She enjoyed traveling and camping with her husband and family. She loved spending time outdoors, photography, needlework as well as painting and pencil drawing. Rose is survived by two daughters, Karen (Philip) Epp of Newton, KS, and Eileen (Randy) Ensminger of Mt. Pleasant, IA; one son, Phillip (Valerie) Ross of Wentzville, MO; six grandchildren, Kate Epp Jantz, Justin Epp, Nathan Ensminger, Ryan Ensminger, Kalen Ensminger and Emma Ross; and seven great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Daniel, Jacob, Ella, Harmon, Paityn and Colton. Along with her husband and parents, Rose was preceded in death by a son, Stanley Ross; two brothers, Joseph Cina and Rocco Calamia; and a sister, Catherine "Carrie" Calamia.