Kay V. Ross

HOLY CROSS, IOWA

Kay V. Ross, 89, of Hawkeye Care Center, formerly of Holy Cross Iowa died on December 27, 2025, at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center surrounded by family.

Visitation will be on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:15 am at the Holy Cross Church in Holy Cross, Iowa. A mass of Christian burial will follow at 10:30 am. Inurnment in the church cemetery will take place at a later date.

Kay was born on December 7, 1936, to Leo P. and Veronica (Ungs) Brecht. She was the younger sister to Phyllis and graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1954.

After high school, Kay worked at the Dubuque Pack. Kay married Gary A. Ross on August 24, 1957, and together they raised a family in Holy Cross. She returned to the workforce full-time in the 1970’s as secretary of the Del-Que (later Three Rivers) FS store in Holy Cross. Kay worked her way up to becoming store manager. As a woman doing a “man’s job”, she was immensely proud of her achievement. Kay was well liked and respected by her customers and she was happy to have gotten to know so many of the local farmers and their families through her years of service at the Holy Cross office.

In retirement and as a widow, Kay made the most of life. Between volunteer work around Holy Cross, coffee on Thursday mornings with friends at Neumann’s, or travels around the USA, Europe and cruising. She didn’t let the grass grow under her feet. She loved cooking and hosting holiday events for her family at her home in Holy Cross. She especially looked forward to the annual Ross Family Pool Party at her daughter’s home in Minnesota. She was always happy, whether she was playing highly competitive card games at the kitchen table, popping the best batches of popcorn in her special pan or telling silly (but true) stories. Most of all, Kay was happiest at her home, holding court with her growing family flocking around her.

Kay was strong, capable, direct, practical, loving and quick witted. And absolutely adored. She will be missed terribly.

Survivors include her sons: Mark (Susie) of Waukee, Iowa, Paul (Julie) Ross of Holy Cross, John (Karen) of Dyersville; and daughter, Ann (Dieter) Wimmer of Burnsville, Minnesota; grandchildren: Samantha (Michael) Shindelar and great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Henry and William of Clive, Iowa; Valerie (Brian) Peters and great grandchildren, Emma, Claire and Molly of Urbandale, Iowa; Gary Ross of West Des Moines, Iowa; Ian (Annie) Ross and great grandchildren, Palmer, Knox, Leo and Baby of Tiffin, Iowa; Melissa Nothdorf and great grandchildren, Cayden and Eloise of Cascade, Iowa; Angela (Ryan) Chrystal and great grandchildren, Ari and Oren of Altoona, Iowa; and Allison Ross of Ankeny, Iowa. She is also survived by many special nieces, nephews, dear cousins, and countless good friends from Holy Cross.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband Gary in 1992; parents, Leo and Veronica Brecht; sister, Phyllis and brother-in-law John Hoerner; mother and father-in-law, Andrew N. and Marvel G. Ross; brother and sister-in-law, Duane “Pete” and Lois Ross; and nephew, Kevin Ross.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Beyond Bobby foundation.

Kay’s family would like to thank the staff at Hawkeye Care Center of Dubuque for their kind and loving support over the past year. They also want to thank the Holy Cross/North Buena Vista Fire & EMS team. Special thanks also to the staff of the emergency room at MercyOne Medical Center. Kay was a “frequent flyer” and they were always ready to give her the care she needed.

Kramer-Morris Funeral Home in Holy Cross is assisting the family. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family, please visit the funeral home website at www.kramer-morrisfuneralhome.com.