Michael “Mike” Alexander Ross, age 73, of Montgomery MN passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at Mayo Hospital in New Prague. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 3 from 9:30am to 11:00am, with Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am, all at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery, with Father Tom Neihaus officiating. The Montgomery Area Honor Guard will provide Military Honors. Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Mike was born on February 11, 1948, in Minneapolis to Peter Martin and Evelyn Olga (Pearson) Ross. He was a graduate of Cooper High School and at the age of 20, was drafted into the US Army on March 11, 1968. He could have avoided the draft due to a speech impediment but wanted to serve his country. From June 10, 1969, to March 4, 1970, he served in Vietnam, and received an honorable discharge. Upon returning home, he performed various duties at Ry Krisp in Minneapolis; built houses (including his sister, Toots, home); drove semi and performed other tasks at Leslie Mfg. in Bloomington; operated a saw line, made sawdust deliveries, and operated a forklift all at Viking Pallet Corp in Osseo; and owned/operated a lawn mowing company. On September 20, 1974, Mike met Mary Bostrom. After a 1½ yr. engagement, they were united in marriage on May 15, 1976, at Incarnation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Mike and Mary were blessed with 45 yrs and 7mos as husband and wife.

Mike enjoyed having fun; gardening; mowing lawns (he loved the smell of fresh cut grass); summer and winter fishing; duck and goose hunting; driving his own figure 8 race car; watching car races live or on TV; building birdhouses and feeders; bird watching; old cars; his 41 Chevy; “Back to the 50s” weekend; tractors; “Pioneer Power Days”; other threshing shows; tractor pulls; steam locomotives and model trains; snowmobile grass drags; snowmobiling; football; pro-wrestling; drives in the country to process things on his mind and deal with stress, depression and anxiety; walking on nature trails and marveling at Gods magnificent creations; skipping rocks; camping; building and enjoying campfires; visiting Park Reserves and state parks; hiding, scaring and chasing his children, nieces and nephews, and countless others; beer; cooking; woodworking (making shelves, bookcases, Nativity stables, fish houses, storage sheds, a chicken coop and the sturdiest swing set and fort ever made); painting and remodeling the house; playing pool and ping pong; 50s and country music; his chickens and pets, particularly our black lab, Trixie, nicknamed “Pookie”; creating funny names and nicknames for things and people (trap door cleaner = toilet paper); telling jokes; making people smile; and most of all pranking unsuspecting victims!
More than anything Mike loved spending time with family, friends and his three adorable grandchildren. They were the loves of his life. Trace, 8, was his buddy and would ride in a wagon pulled behind the lawn tractor when Mike cut grass. Raelynn (Raely), 6, was his “nurse” always taking care of him and making sure he wouldnt hurt his hip. Evalynn (Evaly), soon to be two, was his lovebug always giving him big, tight hugs and kisses. They loved rolling the ball to each other and keeping the balloon from touching the floor. Mike could be in a great deal of pain or not feeling well but youd never know it when he was with them. They were his whole world and were the only ones that could get away with waking him up from a dead sleep! They loved Papa and are devastated that hes gone.

Mike is survived by his wife, Mary Ross of Montgomery; children, Nate Ross of Montgomery, and Molly Ross (Chase Coupanger) of Lakeville; grandchildren, Trace Ross-Jackson, Raelynn Ross-Jackson, and Evalynn Coupanger of Lakeville; sister, Delores “Toots” Hill of Buffalo; sister-in-law, Carole Ross of Delano; and many nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph Ross; sister, Rose Marie Hess; brothers-in-law Pete Hess, Pete Lindahl and Ted Klungseth; former brother-in-law, Milt Hill; former sister-in-law, Patty Bostrom; father-in-law, Leonard Bostrom; and mother-in-law, Elizabeth Bostrom.

Arrangements are with the Schoenbauer Funeral Home 507-357-6116. Online condolences may be left at www.schoenbauerfuneralhome.com.