Wilma D. Ross

Funeral Services for Wilma D. Ross will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastors Darren Theesen and Jean Clayton officiating. Wilma's service will be live-streamed on the First Baptist Church's website: www.fbcholdrege.com. Interment will be held at the Long Island Cemetery in Long Island, Kansas at 2:00 p.m.

Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services and Gatherings will be followed.  The Ross family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend Wilma's services, based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community.

Wilma Darlene Ross, 90 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020, at Holdrege Memorial Homes.  Wilma was born November 23, 1929, on the family farm in Norton County, Kansas, northwest of Long Island, the second of five children to Oscar and Elizabeth (Taylor) Ross. She received her primary education from the Cedar Ridge School District #57 in Norton County through the eighth grade and then attended Almena High School at Almena, Kansas, graduating with the class of 1947.

Wilma accepted a position with the Norton County Clerk's office, where she worked for ten years before becoming the Deputy County Clerk and then worked as the Secretary for the Norton School District.

In the 1960's, Wilma relocated to Hastings, Nebraska, where she worked for Dutton-Lainson for several years. While at Dutton-Lainson, Wilma received a certificate in mechanics at Hastings Tech in Hastings.  She then moved to Holdrege, where she was employed at Better Buys in Oxford, Nebraska, and Artistic Woven Labels in Holdrege. Wilma began working for Becton-Dickinson when the plant first opened and continued to work there until her retirement in 1993, after 27 years. In April of 2008, Wilma began to make her home at Holdrege Memorial Homes when her health began to fail.

She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Holdrege, where she served in many capacities. Wilma had a heart of gold and was always lending a helping hand and giving encouragement to those in need.  She enjoyed playing the guitar and banjo and loved to play for many churches, anniversary parties, and events with her sister, Loretta. Wilma also loved the outdoors and enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping, tending to her yard, horseback riding, and in her younger years, milking cows on the family farm.

Besides her parents; Wilma was preceded in death by her sister, Evelyn Ferguson; and one nephew, Gill "Eddie" Atchison Jr.

She leaves to celebrate her life; two sisters: Phyllis Halderman and her husband, Lynne of Alma, Nebraska; and Loretta Atchison and her husband Gill, of Phillipsburg, Kansas; one brother, Maynard Ross and his wife, Carol of Alma; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Wilma's honor, and kindly suggested to Holdrege Memorial Homes; First Baptist Church in Holdrege; or to Gideon's International.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.