Marilyn Sue Ross

Marilyn S. Ross passed away on Monday, November 3rd, 2025. Her remains will be cremated.

Marilyn Sue Rogers Ritz Ross was born on July 30th, 1947, in Emporia, Kansas the daughter of George Louis and Lois Irene Miller Rogers.

Mrs. Ross attended schools in the Emporia area until her first marriage to Ralph L. Ritz in October 1967. They divorced in February 1978. Mrs. Ross moved to Osage City, Kansas where she later married Richard D. Ross in July 1983.

Mrs. Ross had been a member of the Emporia Jobes Daughters, a 50 + year member of the Order of Eastern Star, Ottawa, transferred to Osage City, Kansas, then Emporia, Kansas when chapters were combined. She was also a 30-year member of the General Edward Hand Chapter of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution, Ottawa, Kansas.

Marilyn was known for her floral arranging, wedding bouquets, crafts and artwork. She also enjoyed sewing, as well as making Christmas ornaments. Many of her crafts were given to people as gifts.

She was employed by the Kansas Department of Transportation for over 22 years. After retirement, she was an active volunteer at Logan Elementary Grade School, and a “Big” for the mentoring lunch program. Through her volunteering, she was nominated and selected as a receiver for the United Way Val Award in 2011 for the Early Education Category.

While a volunteer at Logan, she was asked to paint murals in the entry area and library. She also painted murals in the gym, the cafeteria, the kindergarten hallway and at the time, walls in the pre-school area. While her granddaughter was attending Seaman High, she helped decorate for the high school after prom party for three years.

Marilyn was also a big enthusiast of the local roller derby team, the Capital City Crushers, supporting both her daughter and granddaughter during their time with the team. To many in this organization, she was known as the “Crusher Mom”.

She is survived by her husband of the home, Richard D. Ross, her daughter Michelle Ritz-Bundy (Robert), Topeka, KS, two step-sons, Christopher D. (Cindy) Ross, Westwood, KS, Stanton D. (Nicole) Ross, Bentonville, AR, a granddaughter, Mattie Ritz (John) Forrer, Topeka, KS, and two step-grandchildren, Nathan (Allie) Ross, Bentonville, AR and Kathryn Ross (Lance) Erickson, Savannah , GA.

Memorials may be made to the Arab Shriners Children’s Hospital Fund 1305 S Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS, United States, Kansas, or to the American Cancer Fund PO Box 7262 Hillsborough, NJ 08844

A Visitation to honor her life will take place from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Friday, November 21st, 2025 at Parker Price & Davidson Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS 66608.

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