Helen Irene Ross was born on February 26, 1926, the daughter of Everett Harrison and Nellie Margret (Hofmann) McClain in Orient, Iowa. She passed away on Monday, February 15, 2021, at the Greenfield Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Greenfield, Iowa, at the age of 94.

Helen was raised in Adair County and graduated from Orient Consolidated School GED Certificate in 1972. On August 15, 1940, she was united in marriage to Warren Ross in Maryville, Missouri. To this union two children were born: Kathryn and Ronald.

She lived her whole life in Orient Township, Adair County, Iowa. She was a very dedicated housewife and farmer. Helen worked for Kelly's Flowers for several years. She really enjoyed creating beautiful floral bouquets, corsages, and arrangements for every special occasion. There was a job opening at Orient-Macksburg Community School and this would be much closer to home for winter driving. She took the job and managed the student lunch program payments and tickets. She helped in the office and wherever needed. Her "favorite job" was high school study hall monitor. She did have a great relationship with the students, trying to instill in them the need to sit still, pay attention and do your homework. This was a challenge and even her grandsons might have got their ears pulled if they didn't get the message!

Helen enjoyed traveling, playing cards, gardening and flowers, especially her beautiful rose gardens. A project that was near and dear to Grandma's heart was the Orient Meal Site. She really enjoyed serving and visiting with her friends and neighbors.

She liked to cook and always ready to furnish for church lunches, fundraisers, and Lions club events. But best of all, Helen being an excellent cook, her kids and grandkids loved birthdays holidays and just any Sunday family dinners with Grandma's delicious cooking and hospitality.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Warren in 2007; brother, Lewis McClain; and niece, Linda Patterson; nephew, Patrick McClain.

She is survived by her two children, Kathryn Gross and husband Larry of Fontanelle and Ronald Ross and wife Shirley of Orient; five grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; brother, Larry McClain and wife Amber of Adair, Iowa; sister-in-law, Cora McClain of Ankeny, Iowa; other relatives and friends.

Contributor: jemw