Jackie Pross, 78, of Exira, Iowa, died Friday, December 6, 2024, at Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic.
Jacqueline Kay was born September 24, 1946, in Exira, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond Jay and Hazel Mildred (Wright) Johnson. She graduated from Exira High School in 1965 and moved into the workforce. She met Dennis Pross at the roller skating rink in Atlantic, with their friends Roger and Pam, who remained very close. Jackie & Dennis were married on February 24, 1967, and soon welcomed their sons, Jason and Nick into the world.
All of her life, she enjoyed fishing at Littlefield Park and looked forward to annual trips to Freeman’s Cabins at Spirit Lake. Her other favorite hobbies were ceramics and the various aspects of gardening. Her yard was filled with flowers; her favorites being blue mums and lilies. Tomatoes came in abundance and she delighted to can them, making juice and delicious sauces. Jackie’s fried chicken was a great favorite of her family. In her relaxed moments, she loved to watch Hallmark movies and The Price is Right. Her favorite pet was her dog, Apollo.
Above all accomplishments, she believed her family to be her greatest! Having her sons was the highlight of her life! She treasured raising them and then . . . they gave her grandchildren!
Things were hard after she lost Denny and then she met Ralph Cleveland on a blind date. She was running very late that day and he was about to leave their meeting spot at Littlefield, as she pulled up. They hit it off immediately and the next 26 years brought joy beyond her wildest imagination and he became a dear part of their entire family. They spent many happy years together, doing more fishing, as well as travelling with her sister, Jane & Lanny to Florida and Minnesota. He was also a great comfort to her when she lost her son, Jason.
Jackie is survived by her son, Nick (Sherry) Pross of Atlantic and their kids, Sara (Landon) Schneider and Pluma (Sam Wycoff) Pross; Jason’s children, Jenn Pross, Zach Pross and Dennis Pross and their families; her special companion, Ralph Cleveland; sisters, Sandra Parsons of Audubon, Jan Kite of Marne and Cathy Schmidt of Omaha; brother, John (Linda) Johnson of Atlantic; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; her son, Jason; sister, Janice (Roland) Black; brother, Charles (Marlene) Johnson; and brothers-in-law, Lanny Kite and Ed Parsons.
Visitation with family present will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 13th at Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic. Funeral services will be after the visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon at Rolands. Burial will take place immediately following the luncheon at the Atlantic Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Jackie’s family and her arrangements.
