Kathleen (O'Dea). Ross

Kathleen P. "Kate" (O'Dea) Ross, 77, of Sioux City journeyed into heaven on Friday, July 25, 2008.

Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Boniface Catholic Church, with the Rev. James Bruch officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a 7 p.m. rosary, at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Kathleen was born April 3, 1931, in Sioux City, the daughter of Kenneth and Veronica (McKeever) O'Dea. She attended St. Boniface School and graduated from Cathedral High School.

She married Russell C. Ross on Feb. 11, 1948, in Sioux City. She was a lifelong Sioux City resident.

Our mother so enjoyed cooking and baking. Her cinnamon rolls were out of this world, and her recipes have been handed down to family members throughout the years. Her holiday meals were known throughout the region, and there was always room for one more at her table. In her earlier years, she created wardrobes for her children. She was an exceptional seamstress.

Her love of water brought her to the West Coast to see the Pacific Ocean. Mom had fond memories of that trip, which she recalled often. She was energized by the "city that never sleeps," and loved the coconut cake at Kady's restaurant. Being the night owl that she was, Mom enjoyed many of the Vegas shows. She also loved family week in Okoboji every July and other family gatherings, especially Christmas. She loved her large family, all the aunts, uncles and cousins. Mom a/k/a Uncle Bill's "little kuche," always enjoyed having the extended family over, the more the merrier, for any occasion.

She was a longtime member of St. Boniface Church and a current member of St. Michael Church. Playing cards, music and traveling were also things she loved. She was a devoted stay-at-home mother to her children for many years until her career in medical office management. Being the independent woman she was, Mom remained in her home, which she loved, for 52 years with the help of her dedicated son, John.

Survivors include four children, Pamela Wilmes of Sioux City, Debbie Lyman and her husband, Steve of Sioux City, Mindy Ross Hill and her husband, Barney of Omaha, and John Ross of Sioux City; two brothers, Kenny O'Dea and his wife, Frances of Sioux City and Shawn O'Dea and his wife, Barbara of Walla Walla, Wash.; three sisters, Dawn Clausen, Bonneen Bartle, and Shirlee Rosenbaum and her husband, LeRoy, all of Sioux City; seven grandchildren, Jodi Fiscus, Amy Prellwitz, Stevie Lyman, Melissa Lyman, Ryan Wilmes, Matthew Wilmes and Jennifer Hill; seven great-grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by Russell Ross; a daughter, Cindy Ross Andersen; her parents; two sisters, Colleen Warren and Connie Lucart; a son-in-law, Mark Wilmes; and a daughter-in-law, Sandy Ross.

Pallbearers will be Barney Hill, Steve Lyman, Stevie Lyman, Ryan Wilmes, Matthew Wilmes and Blake Meister. Honorary pallbearers will be her brothers, Kenny and Shawn O'Dea.

To our beautiful, brilliant mother, Kathleen, we will miss your exquisite, expressive, green Irish eyes, your gift for always knowing the right answers and that we could count on you for anything. We will always know how much we meant to you and how much you loved us. It's time for you to make your own kind of music and sing your own special song. We love you, Mom. P.S. No worries, we washed our hands.