Wesley Thomas Ross Jr.

Wesley “Barney” Ross was born on February 22, 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska to Wesley T. and Crystal Ross. He was raised by his Uncle Gene and Aunt Irma in Omaha, Nebraska until his junior year when they decided to move to Valley, Nebraska. The move to Valley was a good one because it was there that he met Marlene Joyce Wollen, his future wife and love of his life. Barney and Marlene met in high school and were inseparable ever since. The kind of love they had for each other was the kind of love everyone wishes for. Barney and Marlene were married on December 17, 1955 in Valley, Nebraska. Their Dream had begun. In 1958, Barney was drafted into the United States Army where he served for 6 years. During his time in the Army reserves, Barney and Marlene welcomed their first child, Mark Scott Ross, in 1963 and then in 1967 welcomed their second child, David Anthony Ross. Barney and Marlene were so excited to become parents and they built a beautiful life of memories for their children. Not only did they have the Love Story everyone wishes for, but they also made sure their children lived the happiest lives ever. Barney was meant to be and was an amazing husband and father…he lived for his family. Barney supported his family working as a heavy equipment operator. He paved many streets and parking lots throughout Nebraska, and he had the best time doing it. There was just nothing better than climbing on a piece of equipment and digging (you never know what you may unearth). Barney loved looking for things. It was a very enjoyable treasure hunt for him when he would unearth an old coin, bottle or whatever. Everything was buried treasure for him. In October of 2008 Barney lost his beloved wife, Marlene, to leukemia. It was devastating for him to not have her by his side for the rest of his life, but they are finally reunited. Marlene had tucked away a note in his belongings when he was sent off to Army training that read: “Hi Darling, I wrote this in here before you left. I wondered how long it would be before you found it! I love you more than anything.” – Mar “I love you too Mar, and I miss you so damn much.” - Barney He missed her so damn much, and now, he doesn’t have to. Barney’s family and friends will miss his kind heart and his humorous sayings (he always had one). For example, when his daughter-in-law, Michelle, asked him if he was going to go down to the dining room for lunch one day, he replied, “No, it’s like going to a TB clinic with all the coughing and hacking from all those old people.” He never thought of himself as old. Everybody else was old. Barney spent the rest of his life after his wife’s passing mowing city contracts alongside his daughter-in-law, Michelle and grandson, David. They covered a lot of ground and always had a good time with undoubtedly some kind of “guess what happened today” kind of story. Barney also enjoyed tinkering around his house, and he really enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels. He enjoyed all the animals that were around his home. He even had them tapping on his sliding glass door and staring him down until he would open the door and ask them if they wanted a cookie. Wesley “Barney” Thomas Ross will forever be missed by every person that was blessed to be a part of his life. Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Crystal (Gillmore) Ross; wife, Marlene Ross; grandson, Tyler Ross; sister, Chis Czaplewski; sister, Sharon Baxter; and brother, Kenneth “Butch” Duncan. He is survived by his sons, Mark (Donna) Ross and David (Michelle) Ross; grandchildren, Katherine Ross, Anthony (Kari) Oxtal, Candice Ross, and David Ross; great-grandchildren, Lola Oxtal, Luke Oxtal, Logan Ross, Violet Oxtal, Olivia Ross, and Luci Ross; and sister, Yovonne Meyers. VISITATION: 6-8 PM on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn. FUNERAL SERVICE: 11 AM on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn. INTERMENT: Pleasant View Cemetery in Leshara, NE. Memorials may be directed to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Wesley Thomas Ross Jr.

February 22, 1935 - March 15, 2024