Kenneth James Ross, 80

Kenneth James Ross, 80, passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 25, 2021, at St. Peter’s Hospital, Helena, after a battle with Covid. He was surrounded by his wife and two daughters.

Ken was born July 11, 1941, in Kalispell to Theodore Ross and Esther (Rasmussen) Ross. He was the youngest of four siblings. Ken attended Flathead County Public schools until he was 15 when his parents bought the Polebridge Store and he completed his high school through the American School of Chicago. Some of his fondest childhood memories were of attending Glacier Bible Camp, Hungry Horse, playing as a young child in the sawdust floor of the Tabernacle; praying around the altar; and participating in camp activities every year. He never missed camp and was called into the ministry by God when he was 15 years old. For a young man who loved hunting, fishing and all outdoor activities, Polebridge and Glacier National Park were a dream come true. Logan Pass and the Going-to-the Sun Road were never to be missed annual drives for Ken’s entire life.

After graduating high school, Ken attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis. While attending college, he met his future wife, Marilyn. They were married after his graduation in 1964 and were married 48 and 1/2 years before Marilyn preceded him in death. They have two daughters, Jeanine and Denise.

Ken and Marilyn started pastoring in Columbus, Montana, and served five congregations over their 43 years of pastoral ministry, including Columbus, Shelby, Glasgow, Havre and Helena. After retiring from full-time ministry in 2007, they served several churches as interim pastors in Montana and two years pastoring RV chapels in Yuma, Arizona.

In 2015, Ken and Patricia (Braun) Ross were married in Yuma where they have continued the RV chapel ministry through April 2021 at Gila Mountain RV Resort and Shangri La RV Chapels. Ken also served as chapel minister for Glacier Bible Camp Sunday night service for the past two summers.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Esther Ross; and his first wife Marilyn.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ross, of Helena; two daughters, Jeanine Conway (Nick), of Converse, Texas, grandchildren Kyle Conway, of Elk Park, Minnesota, and Michaela Conway of Converse; and Denise Walker (Tony), of Houston, grandchildren Carolyn Townsend of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Eastman (Sonny) Townsend of Houston; stepson, Michael Houghton (Wendy), grandchildren Elizabeth, Killian and Ted Houghton of Belgrade; and grandson Seth Houghton of Helena. He is also survived by his three siblings, Betty Nolan, sister, Kalispell; brother Pastor Robert (Roberta) Ross, Kalispell; sister Norma (Lowell) Frederick of Twin Lakes, Idaho, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends and a viewing is scheduled from 4. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 4 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, at Helena First Assembly, 2210 Dodge Street, Helena. Interment and public graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.

Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family or to share a favorite memory of Ken.