The family moved to Bethany in Lincoln during her early childhood. In the 1940’s her mom Fern and Aunt Fay Blessing would combine their families while their husbands Kenneth and Earl worked on the Alcan Highway, a WW II effort. Cousin Janis and Jess were very close. Jess graduated from Northeast High School in 1949 and later that year she was nominated for Homecoming Queen at Nebraska Wesleyan University even though she was not a student. Jess was employed by Woodmen Accident and Life after high school. Through her brother, Charlie, she met and later married the love of her life, Harold G. Ross, on November 29, 1952. They enjoyed 60 years together. Jess and Harold (Ross) had four daughters, Kathy, Jenny, Becky, and Bobbie.
Jess was a loving wife and mother. She supported Ross as he completed a career with the Armed Services transferring to various duty stations on the East Coast. Jess and family moved back to Lincoln when Ross retired in 1971 to be close to family.
Jess was always so stylish, so she was hired on the spot to work in the wig department at Miller and Paine department store where she was promoted to manager shortly thereafter. She later worked for Lincoln Public Schools Food Services and helped Ross with a lawn service business so they could enjoy being snowbirds in South Texas for 30+ years.
Jess and Ross welcomed, with open arms, and loved their eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. The extended family enjoyed many family vacations over the years.
Two years after Ross passed away, Jess moved to Savannah Pines Independent Living. She loved and enjoyed her friends, staff, and activities there for 10 years. Jess was a 30+ year breast cancer survivor. In celebration of her life, her daughters named a bench for her, in the Garden of Hope and Healing at the April Sampson Cancer Center which Jess loved.
Jess was a longtime member of Northeast UCC where she was a co-director of Vacation Bible School in the 1970’s. She provided food for the Little Free Pantry whenever she could. She supported many nonprofit organizations over the years along with Ross.
Jess passed away peacefully on November 11th feeling well loved by all. The family would like to thank the staff at Bryan Health East Campus, fifth floor North. The nurses and care technicians were so kind and caring. Thank you also to AseraCare Hospice for their caring services.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, December 12th at 11:00 a.m. at Northeast United Church of Christ (UCC) at 6200 Adams Street in Lincoln, NE.
In honor of Jess, our Sparkle Queen, guests are invited to wear a touch of sparkle and to bring canned goods for the Little Free Pantry. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Northeast UCC.
Preceded in death by: Parents Fern Draper Trunkenbolz, and Kenneth Draper; Step-Father Bill Trunkenbolz; In-laws George and Elizabeth Dering Ross; Husband Harold G. Ross; Brothers and Sisters-in-Law; Charles (Peggy) Draper, Gene (Helen) Draper, Brother-in-Law Millard Ross, Granddaughter Elizabeth Fern McKinney, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and many friends.
Survivors include Sister-in-Law: Laura Ross, Overland Park, KS. Daughters and Spouses: Kathy (Bob) Keasling, Omaha, NE; Jenny (Tom) Cardwell, Lincoln, NE; Rebecca (Tom) McKinney, Eloy, AZ; and Bobbie (Tom) Wilson, Lincoln, NE. Grandchildren and Spouses: Jeff (Amber) Keasling, Gretna, NE; Becky (Mitsu) Niiya, Papillion, NE; Daniel Cardwell, Lincoln, NE; Jamie (Nathan) Gemmell, Lincoln, NE, Laura (Matthew) Ames, Fargo, ND; William (Adrianna) McKinney, Santee, CA; Christoper McKinney, Martinez, CA; and Jonathan McKinney, Corpus Christi, TX. Great Grandchildren: Jenna and Allison Keasling; Max and Zack Niiya; Noah Cardwell, Addison and Grayson Gemmell; Xavier, Grady, Ellery and Tilden Ames; Annabelle and Lia McKinney; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.