Earlene was born to William and Erna Schroeder in the old hospital in Hebron, Nebraska on November 6, 1940. Her father worked in gas and oil and passed away when she was young. Her mom and her moved in with her grandmother Marie in Carlton, Nebraska on the family farm. She graduated from Concordia High School in Concordia, Kansas.

Earlene was taught at a young age to work hard and work hard she did! She milked cows, fed pigs, she cleaned around the farm, cooked, and helped her mother and grandmother. She walked every day to school and back. After high school she went onto graduate from the Beatrice Beauty Academy. She was working at a café in Beatrice, Ne when she met Robert Ross. Robert and Earlene were married on February 20,1966 in Beatrice, Nebraska.

Earlene worked many years as a nursing assistant and medication aid. at various hospitals and nursing homes over the years and retired at the age of 78. One could say that Earlene’s hobby was working. She loved to work and was so devastated when she couldn’t work anymore! Her other hobby besides working was to tend to her garden and flower beds. She had a garden for over 50 years. Her garden each year grew bigger than the year before and she challenged herself to try new things to grow. She was a master gardener, and her tomato plants would easily be over four or 5 feet tall! Each summer she would supply most of the neighborhood with free vegetables, and fruits from her fruit trees. She grew iris, mums, lilies, and many other plants.

Earlene’s grandkids were the highlight of her life. She enjoyed spending time with them, especially as they grew older. When her grandkids gave her a hard time, she would always act like she was annoyed or mad, but she secretly loved it. When her grandkids would walk into the room her sparkly blue eyes would light up!

Earlene is proceeded in death by her father William and mother Erna Schroeder, brother George, her husband Robert Ross, her baby daughter, her father and mother in-law Harvey and Louise Ross, sister and brother in-law Lou Ann and Delbert Weber and brother in-law Frank Hoppe and good friend Deena Rezab.

Earlene is survived by her three children, Mary Ann (Micheal) Somers of Watertown, MN, Robert (Tami) Ross of Grand Junction, Co, and Christine (Matthew) Hickey of Adel, Ia. Her grandchildren are Kelsie Somers, Kenadie Somers, Brooke Hickey, Kaitlyn Somers, Kaiden Somers, Andrew Hickey, Grant Hickey, Sister-in-law- Carolyn Hoppe and Nieces and Nephews.

A graveside funeral service will be held Monday, July 6, 11:00 a.m. in Roselawn Cemetery at Columbus, Nebraska. Family will greet friends on Sunday at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, cards or memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.