Loretta Margaret Ross, 89, of Russell, died on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at the Main Street Manor of Russell.

Loretta was born on December 2, 1921, in Dubuque, Kansas, the daughter of J. Henry and Philomena (Eckart) Casey.  As a child, up until the 8th grade, Loretta grew up and attended school in Beaver, Kansas.  The family moved to Bunker Hill, Kansas when she was a freshman in high school, four years later she graduated from Bunker Hill High School.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Leo J. Ross on June 15, 1943, in Dubuque, Kansas.  Leo preceded her in death on July 6, 1993.  Eventually they made their home in Russell, Kansas.  Loretta worked in medical records for Russell Regional Hospital for 19 years.  She retired from the hospital in 1984.  She was an active member of St. Mary, Queen of Angels, Catholic Church in Russell and was on the Russell Council of Catholic Women and the Rosary Board.  She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, cooking, traveling and tending to her flowers.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her husband and extended family.

Surviving family includes sister Mary Weeks of Hoisington, Kansas: sister in-law Ann Casey of Great Bend, Kansas and many nieces and nephews. 

She was also preceded in death by her parents; brother Don Casey and sister Vivian Cates.

A celebration of the funeral mass for Loretta will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 10, 2011 at the St. Mary, Queen of Angels, Catholic Church in Russell with Father Charles Steier officiating.  Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 10 A.M. on Friday before the service.  Burial will follow at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Russell.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at the mortuary.   Memorials may be given to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Women’s Guild or Russell Regional Hospital and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.