Katherine J. Ross, 79, of Atchison, Kansas died Sunday, December 21, 2014 at her residence surrounded by her family who so lovingly cared for her until her death.

Funeral Services will be Monday, December 29, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. at the Atchison United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Sunday, December 28th from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Cornerstone Seventh Day Adventist Church, Paralyzed Veterans or American Cancer Society and may be left in care of the funeral home. Online Condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Katherine J. Ross was born on May 24, 1935 in Atchison Kansas, the daughter of Daisy Sloss and Orlo Allen.  One of six children, she attended Lincoln School, Ingalls Middle School and Atchison High School.  Katherine furthered her education at Highland Community College, where she obtained an Associate’s Degree.

She and the late Warner M. Ross were united in marriage June 28, 1958.  To this union there would be a total of 18 children.  Katherine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother who worked selflessly making a Christian home for her family.  

While married and rearing the first thirteen children, she started employment at Mount St. Scholastica and subsequently worked at the Atchison Neighborhood Center and the Atchison Youth Center.  It was at the Neighborhood Center where Katherine was a pillar in the community, especially in north Atchison.  Katherine was always willing to pray for others and extend a helping hand.  She continued her quest to help other by working to develop, nurtured and train young teens at the Youth Center.  Katherine later worked at the Northeast Kansas Community Action Program (also known as NEK-CAP), where she held several positions until her retirement.

Despite the limited educational opportunities of her time and basically no prior political experience, Katherine’s vigilance for the community drove her to become not only an activist, but a political figure where she served “God first, and then the community”.   Katherine was instrumental in forming and serving on the Urban Renewal Project that help revitalize the north Atchison community.  Later, Mrs. Ross attained first the title of City Commissioner, but then went on to become not only the Vice Mayor, but the first female African-American Mayor of Atchison, Kansas.

Her service to the community, however, was outshined by her service to God. She was a devout member of the Atchison Seventh-Day Adventist Church for over 50 years where she served as Sabbath School Superintendent, Personal Ministries Leader, Church Treasurer and Elder.  As an Elder in the church, she lead by example and was often called by other to be a key- note speaker at many venues and church celebrations throughout the community.  

Katherine sincerely loved God and her family and simply loved being there for others and making their lives easier.  This was where she received her greatest joy!

Katherine is survived by sixteen children, Gary J(Vicky) Starks of Atchison, KS, Ramona J(Bruce) Orum of San Antonio, TX, Louis (Susan) Starks of Wichita, KS, Charles L. Allen of Kansas City, KS, Warnrer M. Ross Jr. of Des Moines, IA, Corrina Z(Willie) Jones of Huntsville, AL, Rosemary (Ken) Smith of Atchison, KS, Patrice I.(Tracy) Oliver of Atchison, KS, Anthony Ross of Atchison, KS, Clarence H.(Tammy) Ross of Wichita, KS, Emerson L. Ross of Houston, TX, Melissa I. Ross of Atchison, KS, Michael D. Ross of Atchison, KS,  Janiece S. Ross of San Antonio, TX,  Jalonyie S. and Taveon R. Ross, both of Atchison, KS.  And one sister, Katherine “Kitty Jo” McKinney of Denver CO.

Katherine is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Warner M. Ross; two children, Kenneth J. Ross and Janice L. Ross; three brothers Charles, Millard, and Orlo Allen; and two sisters Betty Jane Morris and Grace Elaine Cluke.