Ross D. Umholtz

Ross Dwight Umholtz, age 92, passed away Saturday, February 23, 2019, at Windsor Place Nursing Home, Iola, KS.  He was born May 16, 1926, in Newton, Kansas, the second-born son of Harry and Louise (Deschner) Umholtz.  Ross went to District #20 grade school two miles south of Hesston, Kansas.  In 1940, he rode with his older brother in a Ford Model ‘A’ car to attend Newton High School where he completed three years.  Ross helped his dad farm. In 1943, the family moved to Yates Center, Kansas.  In 1947, he moved to Bayfield, Colorado, then on to Vermejo Park, New Mexico, to work as a ranch hand on a 500,000 acre ranch in the mountains.  Following World War II, he was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1950 where he served in Germany.  He was discharged in 1952 and returned to work in Vermejo Park, New Mexico.  March 1, 1953, Ross married Mary Jo Hampton in Raton, New Mexico.  A son, Robert “Butch” Barnett was born October 15, 1953, in Odessa, Texas. The marriage ended in divorce.  Ross married Marian Boese in Oklahoma in 1959.  She died in 1980. They bought 15 acres on the south edge of LaHarpe, Kansas.  Ross worked as a welder for Nelson Quarries in LaHarpe, Kansas, until he retired in 2001.  For 46 years, Ross raised quarter horses.  The final 8 years, six of his quarter horses were in races.  His hobbies also included hunting ducks, hunting deer, and forging hunting knives.  Ross was preceded in death by his wife, Marian; his son, Robert “Butch” Barnett; his parents; brothers, Harold and John; and sister, Alice Grisier.  He is survived by sisters, Wilma (Ken) Strawder, Inman, Kansas, Norma Jean Nebergall,  Newton, Kansas, Dorothy Nickel, Anthony, Kansas; one brother, Earl (Cathy) Umholtz, Fall River, Kansas; grandchildren, Brandi  (John) Fowler, Odessa, Texas, James (Jim) Barnett, Oklahoma; two great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. Ross donated his body to the University of Kansas Anatomy and Cell Biology Department. In his honor, a marker will be placed in Eastlawn Cemetery, Zimmerdale, Kansas.  A private family celebration of life service may be held at a later date. Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .