After a long full life, our father, Albert “Al” Ross of Atlantic, IA passed away peacefully at the Heritage House on March 1, 2023, in Atlantic, at the age of 91. He was born on April 2, 1931, at home in Redbird, Nebraska. Al was one of four children born to Ernest and Mable (Miller) Ross.
Al spent his youth working on the farm and attending country school then boarding in town to attend and graduate from Spencer High School in Spencer, Nebraska in 1949. After graduation, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from Electronics School in 1951. While there he played baseball for the St. Cecilia Cathedral’s team and was initiated in the Catholic Church. He then met Marie Cannot, originally from Spencer, Nebraska, and they married on August 30, 1952. In Omaha, he was employed as an electrician for Crosley Electronics then accepted a position with Black & Decker in Des Moines, Iowa in 1955. Al and Marie preferred to live in a small town so moved their growing family to Atlantic, Iowa in 1959. For a time, he worked as a regional manager for Fortney Industries then started a business driving a semi-trailer truck. That business grew over the years and was officially named Atlantic Carriers in 1971. Al and Marie plus their children, Dave Ross, and Debbie Crawford, expanded the business over the next several decades employing many community members over the years. Al and Marie retired in 1992 splitting their time between their homes in Atlantic, Iowa, and Mesa, Arizona.
St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church of Atlantic was the constant in Al and Marie’s life. Al’s community activities included the Knights of Columbus and many other organizations. Dad’s interest in sports was another constant in his life. His boyhood activities of fishing and hunting continued throughout his many years. Golfing with his family and community friends was another. Al and Marie enjoyed dancing, square dancing in their youth then ballroom dancing during retirement. They also traveled extensively, taking short and long trips many times with a motor home to eventually all 50 states and international locations as well. But they were always available for their growing family and supporting their children and grandchildren. After Marie passed, Al married Dorothy, a high school friend, and moved to Peoria, Arizona. There he was able to golf and continue to travel. In 2016, he returned to Atlantic to be near his family.
Al was preceded in death by his son, Robert Ross; his first wife Marie Ross and second wife Dorothy Ross; his parents; his brother Ernest Ross of Chicago, Illinois, and his sister Leta Sheldon of Spencer, Nebraska. Al is survived by his sister Carolyn Colfack of Spencer, Nebraska; his children, Beverley Starkey (Michael) of Omaha, Nebraska, Dave Ross (Rhonda) of Atlantic, Iowa, Debbie Crawford (Roger) of Atlantic plus seven grandchildren Nick Ross (Natalie) of Waukee, Iowa, Nathan Ross (Meagan) of Atlantic, Iowa, Chelsea McCunn (Brice) of Massena, Iowa, Andy Bateman (Karen) of Atlantic, Iowa, Joey Bateman (Chris Bram) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sam Bateman (Katelyn) of Atlantic, Iowa, Max Bateman (Dani Mathisen) of Atlantic, Iowa plus 14 great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, with Fr Trevor Chicoine officiating. Burial will follow at the SS Peter & Paul Cemetery in Atlantic. Public visitation will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023, from 9 am till 6 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, visitation with the family present will be from 9 am until the time of service at the church on Tuesday. Luncheon will follow services at the church Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be directed to SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in memory of Al. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic is caring for the Ross family at this time and condolences can be sent at: Schmidtfamilyfh.com
