Eleanor Hassed Ross

Eleanor Hassed Ross, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2021, surrounded by her children.  She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt.

Eleanor Edna Martha Rosenwinkel was born May 17, 1933 to George and Alma (Edecker) Rosenwinkel.  Known as Ellie by many, she grew up with three older brothers on a farm in rural Bloomingdale Township, IL.  After their mother passed at a very early age, she learned how to cope with hardship and adversity from her father and brothers.  They all stayed in the area where, in her twenties she met her future husband John M. Hassed.  Shortly after marriage they briefly relocated to Orlando, FL and Kalamazoo, MI (where daughter Molly was born), then back home to Wheaton, IL (where son John was born) before moving the family to Overland Park, KS in 1967.

After her husband John passed suddenly at a young age, she was the model of strength, courage, and optimism for her children and leaned on her local friends and extended family for support.  When the kids were in college she was remarried to Carl Ross and built a new, extended family centered in rural Spring Hill, KS.  After enjoying the peace and quiet of country life for more than 20 years she and Carl moved to Olathe, KS.  They ultimately moved to Tallgrass Creek retirement community and quickly acquired many important new friends and companions that provided support through their final years.

Family was always the focus of her life.  She enjoyed nothing more than getting together with family for holidays and special occasions. She took many trips to Illinois, Georgia, and New York to visit her brothers and other members of their large extended family.

Ellie had many interests including bowling, sewing, and cooking.  A lifelong animal lover, she was known to take in more than a few strays.  She also enjoyed gardening and birdwatching.  She was a sports fan - enjoying the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and Kansas State University football, but her favorite was watching her grandson compete in a variety of youth, high school and collegiate sports.

She was never shy about sharing a smile or a chuckle with everyone she met.

Ellie is survived by her daughter Molly Taylor (Tim), Cumming, GA, son John R. Hassed (Debbie), Overland Park, grandson Nathan Hassed, step daughter Cheryl Manion (Ken), Overland Park, stepson Carl Emory Ross, Topanga, CA, brother Robert Rosenwinkel (Carol), Wheaton, IL, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands John M. Hassed and Carl Ellsworth Ross, brothers Leonard W. and Raymond L. Rosenwinkel.

A private memorial service will be held on June 5, 2021 at Johnson County Memorial Gardens, Overland Park.  Ellie always enjoyed the daily interaction with the Tallgrass Creek high school dining room staff so, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Tallgrass Creek Student Scholarship fund.  Donations may be sent to Tallgrass Creek, Attention: Student Scholarship Fund, 13800 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66223.