Kathleen J. Ross, age 80, died early Thursday morning, October 27, 2011 , at the Harry Hynes Hospice, Wichita, Kansas .

She was born March 16, 1931 , in rural Meade County, Kansas , the daughter of Albert and Irene Dunham Cordes. As a young girl she attended the Meade school system, graduating from Meade High School in 1950. After her graduation, she began working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as an operator for ten years. She later worked for several area businesses.

On November 6, 1954 , she married George F. Ross at Clayton, New Mexico . Upon their marriage, the couple made their home in Meade where she maintained her home.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Meade County Historical Society, a charter member of the Meade County Genealogical Society, the United Methodist Church Rebekah Guild, and the Dodge City chapter of he Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed genealogy, quilting, sewing, and spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by:

Two sons, Mick Ross and wife Resi of Meade, Kansas

Steve Ross and wife Dawn of Meade, Kansas

A daughter, Janna Fuentes and husband Mario of Denver, Colorado

A sister, Mary Arrington of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

Six grandchildren, Chayse, Mattie, Bailey, and Alley Grace Ross

Justin and Jason Fuentes

She is preceded in death by her husband on December 6, 1995 ; two brothers, Earl and Larry Cordes; and a sister, Nona Gay Newman.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 29, 2011 , at the United Methodist Church, Meade, with the Reverend Susan Greene presiding. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Interment will follow in the Graceland Cemetery, Meade.

The family would welcome memorials to the United Methodist Church of the Meade District Hospital Special Equipment Fund in care of the funeral home.

Personal condolences may be given to the family at www.fidlerormebachmanmortuary.com