Maria F Ross

Maria F. (Clifton) Ross, 94, of rural Gering, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020 at the Residency at Northfield Retirement Communities. Her memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday January 6, 2021, at Gering United Methodist Church with Pastor Seth Leypoldt officiating. A private family graveside service will be held at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. Memorials may be given to Gering United Methodist Church. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.geringchapel.com. Services will be livestreamed through Gering United Methodist Church Facebook page and web page www.geringumc.org.

Maria was born on September 5, 1926 at a rural Gering home to Glen and Attha Bernice (Fazel) Clifton. She attended Cedar Valley School and graduated from Gering High School in 1944. Maria was the drum majorette for the Gering High School Marching Band. She attended Nebraska Wesleyan University and was in the Delta Zeta sorority. She was united in marriage to Willard R. Ross on December 1, 1946 and made their home in rural Gering.

A self-described farm girl, Maria helped on the farm driving farm trucks, irrigating, taking care of livestock and doing anything that helped out the family business. She loved to garden, sew and knit, but most of all she loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s many activities.

If there was just one word to describe Maria, it would be servant. Maria dedicated 69 years to volunteer work with the Scotts Bluff County Home Extension Clubs and was a member of the Cedar Valley Women’s Club. She, as well, mentored many young people throughout those 69 years as a 4-H leader. Having spent most of her life helping others in the community to learn vital skills in the home, Maria helped her family and friends learn how to be more self-sufficient through the skills she nurtured.

Maria served the Oregon Trail Days Old Settlers and Half Century Club for 20 years. She was named Honorary Vice President of the Old Settlers in 1999 and was Half Century Club Vice-President in 1989 for many years, she wrote a Cedar Canyon community column for the Gering Courier.

Maria was a member of Gering United Methodist Church, where she was very active on church boards, ladies circles, and was coordinator for many funerals and weddings. Many generations of two year olds attended her Sunday School classes over 70 years.

Maria always said “the farm girl in her won’t let her ever stop working or helping others”. She loved her family and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her sons Max (Teresa) and Glen (Nancy) Ross; daughters Cherie (Ken) Loose and Lisa (Jim) Steward; grandchildren Adam Steward, Ross and Robyn Steward, Jeff and Stacy Corbit and Jason and Kristy Corbit; 5 great grandchildren; sisters Martha Clifton Cary, Glennabelle Clifton and Myron Batt and Gracia Clifton and Doyt Conn and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Willard Ross.