Mable Almeda Caroline Legg Ross, 98, of Hiawatha, Kansas, passed away on November 18, 2011 at the Maple Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Hiawatha, Kansas. She was born on February 10, 1913 in Horton, Kansas the daughter of Claude B. and Lydia Allbright Legg.
Mable's early years were spent in Horton before moving to a farm near Powhattan where she attended #82 Rural School. She returned to Horton to attend Horton High School, graduating in 1932. She went on to take extension courses offered by the University of Kansas.
Mable was employed in many positions in Brown County: Private Secretary to the Brown County Poor Commissioner and as a Case Worker in the Brown County Social Welfare Office. During World War II, she worked as a Medical Field Agent for the U.S. Selective Service System and a Social Science Analyst for the U.S. Bureau of Agricultural Economics. She also worked as a Special Investigator for the Brown County Probate Court in adoption cases.
On August 21, 1938 she married Alfred Smith Ross in the Lutheran Parsonage in Everest, Kansas. They eventually moved to a home at 201 E. 9th Street in Horton, across from the Post Office, to raise a family. While living in Horton, Mable worked as Assistant Bookkeeper and Meter Clerk in the Horton City Clerk's office.
Mable always took an active interest in community affairs. She served as Republican Precinct Committeewoman, worked on the Brown County Election Board and the Special Committee for Candidates. She was 4-H Sewing Supervisor in Horton for three years, Chapter Mother for Future Homemakers of America, President of the Horton Parent Teacher's Association for one year, P.T.A. Historian for six years, Program Chairperson for the Horton Women's Chamber of Commerce, and Secretary of the Horton Business Women's Club of 6 years. After moving to Hiawatha in 1983, she became a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, the Brown County Historical Society, and the VFW Women's Auxiliary. She also belonged to numerous social, travel and dance clubs.
Mable was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Horton where she taught Sunday School for 23 years and served for three years as Primary Superintendent. Years later she joined the First Methodist Church in Horton where she was an active member until moving to Hiawatha in 1983. In Hiawatha, she became a member of the Hiawatha First United Church.
Mable loved to travel. She visited all 50 states in the United States and a number of foreign countries.
She also loved to write. She started keeping a daily diary in 1932 when she was 19 and maintained it almost to the day she died. The series of 138 volumes was donated to the Kansas State Historical Society in Topeka, where it is available to researchers and others interested in Kansas history. In 1984, she started writing the popular newspaper column "Life Can Be Interesting" Her loyal readers enjoyed the column for many years in the Horton Headlight and the Hiawatha Daily World. She also wrote articles for Kanhistique Magazine, a periodical devoted to Kansas history.
Mable's husband Alfred preceded her in death in 1971. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Columbus Legg, and one sister, Mildred Van Holsbeke. Survivors include a son and his wife, Larry Ross and Monica Flinner-Ross of Castle Rock, Colorado, a daughter and her husband, Marilyn Sue Aldrich and Phillip Aldrich of Lincoln, Nebraska and four grandchildren, Alexander, Courtney and Taylor Ross, and Ross Andrew Fitch. Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas where the family will greet friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time. Burial will be at the Horton Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Brown County Historical Society in care of the mortuary. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com