Joan was born November 21, 1931, at Dupree, SD, to James and Berneita (Pooley) Miller. She attended rural grade school and Dupree High School.
On May 21, 1949, she married Harold Owen Ross at Rapid City Methodist Parsonage in Rapid City, SD. They began their life together on a farm near Red Elm, SD, and farmed until their retirement in 2003 when they moved to Sturgis, SD.
Joan worked at the ASCS Office in Dupree, the Dupree School System, Damburgers Store, and was always willing to babysit and help neighboring children with projects and lend a helping hand. She loved gardening, crafting, hosting family functions, and making sure her family was very loved. It was very important to her that her family was well fed and had clothes that were always freshly washed and ironed. Her company was welcomed with open arms and they left with full stomachs.
She was a very talented, self-taught seamstress and made all of her daughter's wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses and even some for her nieces. She also liked to crochet, try any new craft, and paint. Some of her painting technique was applied to used light bulbs, making them into ornaments, some of which were chosen to be displayed at the Capital Building in Pierre, SD. She was very involved as a 4-H leader for many years with the Plaid and Calico 4-H Club. She also belonged to Royal Neighbors and the Clover Leaf Extension Club.
Failing health moved the couple to Aspen Grove Assisted Living in Sturgis in 2015. Their next move was to Gregory in 2016. Joan moved to Rosebud Avera Nursing Center and Harold to Silver Threads Assisted Living.
Joan Darlene Ross, 87, Gregory, SD, died Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at Rosebud Avera Nursing Center in Gregory, SD.
Survivors include her husband, Harold Ross; children, Karen (Bart) Birkeland, Diane (Kerry) Burgee, Evon (Bob) Fields, and Larry (Pam) Ross; 10 grandchildren, Jeffrey (LeAnn) Birkeland, Jason (Michelle) Birkeland, Justin (Cindy Pateneaude) Burgee, Marty Burgee, Joshua (Jamie Booker) Fields, Amanda (Blake) Fields Ladage, Marci (John) Fields Ridle, Mindy (Chip) Ross Heidler, Micheal (Ashley) Ross, and Melissa (Grant) Ross Bassamore; 17 great-grandchildren, Jacob Birkeland, Matthew Birkeland, Jaelyn Birkeland, Taylor Burgee, Ty Burgee, Marcus Workman, McKenzie Ladage, Harper Ladage, Mia Moriconi, Jameson Fields, Harlie Jo Heidler, Braylie Heidler, Ryder Ross, Briar Ross, Cauldler Ross, Montgomery Bassamore, and Everette Bassamore.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Jane Jung and Doris Dunbar; brothers, James Miller and Jesse Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2019, at the Faith Community Building in Faith, SD. Interment will follow at the Faith Cemetery.

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