Delores Ross

Delores Nanelene (Renken) Ross, 88, of Holland, passed away on November 8, 2019, at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital while under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice. A visitation will be held on Monday, November 11, 2019, from 4-7 PM at Engelkes-Chapel in Grundy Center. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at 6 PM at Alice Church of God in rural Conrad. Visitation will resume at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be privately held at Steamboat Rock Cemetery prior to the church service. Memorials may be directed to the family to be donated to a cause at a later date. Abels Funeral and Cremation Service, Engelkes-Chapel is caring for Delores and her family. Online messages of condolences may be made at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Delores Nanelene Renken was born on January 31, 1931, in Butler County to her parents Otto and Nancy (Schoneman) Renken. She attended Parkersburg High School, graduating with the class of 1949. Delores went on a blind date with Homer Ross, which eventually led to their marriage on July 17, 1952, at Parkersburg Congregational Church. Both Delores and Homer planted their roots on the farm outside of Conrad. She was a devoted wife and homemaker, working alongside Homer managing the farm and livestock. Delores and Homer were blessed with two sons, Jim and Bill. Homer and Delores relocated to Holland in 1996, building their home together by hand. Delores was a woman of “lace and backbone”, always ready to roll up her sleeves and go to work.

Delores held many talents, playing the organ and piano, alongside singing. She loved to paint, painting many nature and outdoor scenes. Delores also enjoyed a good party and drinking a cold Budweiser. She was a very special lady that will be missed dearly by those that knew and loved her. Delores was a member of the Alice Church of God.

Delores is survived by her loving husband Homer of Holland; sons Jim (Pam) Ross of Eldora and Bill (Kim) Ross of Steamboat Rock; 6 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters Marge Karsjens of Aplington and Ruth (Dale) Pulford of the Quad Cities; brother Art Renken of Aplington. She was preceded in death by her parents.