Darlene (Martinson) Ross

Darlene (Martinson) Ross, of Benson, MN, was born on April 26, 1938, on a small farm in Gorton Township, Grant County, MN. She attended elementary school in Norcross, MN, high school in Morris, MN, and graduated magna cum laude from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She taught first grade in Evansville, Ulen, Hancock, and Morris, and taught second grade in Morris, retiring in 1995. 

Darlene was baptized, confirmed, and married Kenneth Ross at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Norcross. When she and Ken moved to Benson they became members of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. 

Darlene was an avid reader, and read all the books in her vast library, ranging from The Plantagenets to Harry Potter to The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. She was a prolific writer and speaker and excelled at trivia and solving crossword puzzles. Many of her thoughts were organized on her daily walks; she walked A LOT!!!, rain or shine, hot or cold. 

Darlene had many cookbooks, liked to try different recipes, and enjoyed cooking. Baking was not one of her favorite activities and when she would bake a cake, Ken knew a Lutheran had died. 

Darlene was a faithful and generous supporter of the DFL, DNC, several different churches, Concordia College, Luther Seminary, public television stations, the U.S. Holocaust Museum, World Jewish Congress, the Salvation Army, Wounded Warriors, St. Jude’s, and local needs. 

Darlene was called from this life on Tuesday morning, November 5, 2024, at the Knute Nelson Care Center in Alexandria, MN. She attained the age of 86 years, 6 months, and 10 days of age. 

Darlene is survived by her sisters Dianne (Roger) Beihoffer, of Paynesville, and Delaine (Jay) Bjerke of Moorhead; brother-in-law Stanley Miles of Corvallis, OR; niece Stephanie (Kevin) Nix and their children, Gavin and Morgan of Beaverton, OR; nephew John (Kay) Miles of Tacoma, WA; and nephew James (Felicity) Bjerke of Fargo, ND. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Ken in 1992, her parents Albert and Eunice, and her sister Dorothy Miles in 2023.      

A funeral service will be held in the summer of 2025. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements.