Helen Ross, 82, Osawatomie, died April 30, 2009, at Miami County Medical Center in Paola.

She was born July 23, 1926, in Osawatomie. She was the daughter of Frederick Alfred and Pearl Ethel Innes DeHart. She grew up in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1944.

On June 28, 1947, she married Ralph M. Ross in Paola. they became the parents of two children. They made their home in rural Osawatomie. They were divorced in 1975.

She was a bookkeeper for the family business, Ross Mobile Homes and Ross Construction. she had also worked for social Rehabilitative Services for several years with the Green Thumb program, traveling in the four county area. That program helped retirees find part-time work. She retired in the late 1980s.

She moved to Carr Apartments in Osawatomie in 1966 and remained there until 2003. She moved to Vintage Park Assisted Living until 2008 when she moved to Life Care Center.

She was a member of the Plum Creek United Methodist Church, where she served as church treasurer for many years. She was also a member of the Ladies Aide society for many years.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Jack DeHart, and one sister, Peggy DeHart.

Survivors include her son, Jimmy Ray Ross of Osawatomie; daughter, Linda Marie Stevens of Osawatomie; two sisters, Betty Miller of Belton, Mo., and Nina Evert of Osawatomie; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild and another great-grandchild who is due any day.

A memorial service will be held at 10 am Saturday, May 9, at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation.