Mary Jane Ross

Mary Jane (Mrs. Orville) Harris Ross, 89, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.

She was born November 28, 1923, in Moorhead, Minnesota, the daughter of Oscar K. and Julia M. (Simmons) Harris. She grew up in Fergus Falls where she attended school, graduating in 1941. She graduated from St. Luke’s as an R.N. in 1945

On January 19, 1947, she married Orville J. Ross at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. She worked as a Navy nurse in upstate New York, near Lake Seneca. This was a six month training session for military nursing. The war had ceased, so she returned to Fergus Falls, where she worked at St. Luke’s Hospital until 1955. The couple purchased the Fergus Bowling Center and later Northern Aire Lanes, operating them until 1970, when they sold the business.

She was a lifelong and active member at First Lutheran Church, being baptized, confirmed, and married there. She loved to read and flower garden, and enjoyed traveling.

Mary Jane volunteered with the Cherry Blossoms at Lake Region Hospital, and at the schools.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Orville, in 2001, and a brother in 2002.

Survivors include her children: James (Thuoc) Ross of Carver, David (Mary) Ross of Maple Grove, Ronald Ross of West Ten Mile Lake, Julie Ann (Scott) Soberg of Barrett, and Michael (Cheryl) Ross of Atlanta GA; ten grandchildren: Jacob (Stepheny) Ross, Katie (Geoff) Vukelich, Jay (Krista) Ross, Neil and Cassie Soberg, Emily, Alicia and Brady Ross, Phu Tran, and Duc (Trang) Tran; six great-grandchildren: Kaylie, Katrina, Kimberley, Collin, Zac and Max; and a special friend, Bill Anderson.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 11 a.m. Friday, June 7, 2013, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Saul Stensvaag
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.