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BORN
1938
DIED
2024
FUNERAL HOME
Darlene Ross Obituary
Darlene (Martinson) Ross, of Benson, Minnesota, was born on April 26, 1938, on a small farm in Gorton Township, Grant County, Minnesota. She attended elementary school in Norcross, Minnesota, high school in Morris, Minnesota, and graduated magna cum laude from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She taught first grade in Evansville, Ulen, Hancock, and Morris, and taught second grade in Morris, retiring in 1995.
Darlene was baptized, confirmed, and married Kenneth Ross at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Norcross. When she and Ken moved to Benson they became members of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church.
Darlene was an avid reader, and read all the books in her vast library, ranging from The Plantagenets to Harry Potter to The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. She was a prolific writer and speaker and excelled at trivia and solving crossword puzzles. Many of her thoughts were organized on her daily walks; she walked A LOT!!!, rain or shine, hot or cold.
Darlene had many cookbooks, liked to try different recipes, and enjoyed cooking. Baking was not one of her favorite activities and when she would bake a cake, Ken knew a Lutheran had died.
Darlene was a faithful and generous supporter of the DFL, DNC, several different churches, Concordia College, Luther Seminary, public television stations, the U.S. Holocaust Museum, World Jewish Congress, the Salvation Army, Wounded Warriors, St. Jude’s, and local needs.
Darlene was called from this life on Tuesday morning, November 5, 2024, at the Knute Nelson Care Center in Alexandria, Minnesota. She attained the age of 86 years, 6 months, and 10 days of age.
Darlene is survived by her sisters Dianne (Roger) Beihoffer, of Paynesville, and Delaine (Jay) Bjerke of Moorhead; brother-in-law Stanley Miles of Corvallis, Oregon; niece Stephanie (Kevin) Nix and their children, Gavin and Morgan of Beaverton, Oregon; nephew John (Kay) Miles of Tacoma, Washington; and nephew James (Felicity) Bjerke of Fargo, North Dakota. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Ken in 1992, her parents Albert and Eunice, and her sister Dorothy Miles in 2023.
A funeral service will be held in the summer of 2025. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Memories and Condolences
for Darlene Ross
6 Entries
Deb McNally
November 18, 2024
Mrs. Ross was my first grade teacher. I adored her! I loved school and spending my day with her, and she taught me how to read! She was so kind, sweet and loving to each of her students. Those are teaching traits I tried to imitate every day of my own 35 year teaching career. The lives she touched and seeds she planted will live on forever!❤ My sympathy to her family.
Leslie Honebrink Honebrink
November 12, 2024
I enjoyed visiting with her. She was always so friendly! Her generosity was well known. Res In Peace lovely lady!
Kim and Paul Ness
November 12, 2024
A very special lady. Sympathies, Kim and Paul Ness family
Nicole Wagner
November 8, 2024
I was truly privileged to have spent my 2nd grade year with Mrs. Ross. She didn't just make the process of learning a delight but also the experience of being a mini human every day. She taught me that adults can still make and believe in magic if they chose to. And to never lose that. She also taught me to remember people. Many years after I left her class I received a piece of writing from when I was in her class with a note from her. I am grateful for having learned from her.
Mike Oemichen
November 7, 2024
Mrs. Ross was my first grade reading teacher and instilled a love for the printed word that continues to this day. In my formative years, she continuously challenged me to read books beyond my core interests as a means of expanding my knowledge and broadening my world view. Mrs. Ross was a passionate and dedicated teacher, and I have always considered myself blessed to have been one of her students.
Jan Baukol
November 5, 2024
Dianne, so sorry for your loss, your sister was so kind to our family. God Bless Her Memory!
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