Ross Rodenbeck

Ross Herman Rodenbeck, 90, of Colby, died Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Citizens Medical Center, in Colby. He was born June 8, 1933, at the family farm, to Herman and Mary (Kersenbrock) Rodenbeck. Ross attended country school until Junior High, then attended Colby Public Schools. In 1953 he left High School to join the United States Marines. He saw active duty from 1953 to 1956 and was in the Reserves until 1961. Ross qualified as a sharpshooter while in basic training. Most of his active duty was spent overseas serving aboard the US Naval Carrier USS ESSEX. Most of his duty aboard the Carrier was as a gunner under the flight deck. He also was training for Re-con work and loved the swimming involved with this training. Ross achieved the rank of Corporal and received several medals and awards. He also became a member of the Colby Chapter of the VFW.

On September 6, 1953, Ross was united in marriage to Anna Dean Chambers. To this union three children were born: Rodney, Robert, and Ronda.

During High School, Ross worked at Colby Frame and Axle, sparking a life-long love of cars. Upon returning from the service, he worked with Lyle Horner at Lyle's Body Shop and later opened his own body shop. He ran this shop until his dad retired and he took over the family farm. Ross had a love of the land and of farming. He helped his dad, Herman, from a very young age with working the land as well taking care of the livestock. Ross found irrigation a great boost for agriculture in this normally dry part of the state and was one of the first to incorporate irrigation into the farming culture.

In 1981, Ross and Anna Dean started spending their summers going to car shows all over the country. He was a member of the Kustom Kemps of America. The KKOA put on his favorite car show, the Leadsled Spectacular Car Show in Salina, KS. While participating for more than 45 years in going to car shows and rod runs, he touched the lives of so many from coast to coast all over the US. Above all, even the cars, Ross loved his family and the time he would spend with them. Ross and Anna Dean instilled in their children that if they wanted something they had to work for it. Mistakes could and would be made, but to learn from those mistakes and keep working towards those goals.

Ross was a long-time member of the Colby United Methodist Church. He had a Love of God! Love for Family. Love for the Community of Colby. Love for his Country.

Ross was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Marie Shreve and Ruth Weed.

He is survived by his wife Anna Dean of Colby; son, Rod (Shelly) Rodenbeck and grandson Russell of Colby; son Robert (Marsha) Rodenbeck of Las Vegas, NV, grandchildren Kelli (Jeff) Carstensen, of Davenport, IA, Jessica (Preston) Roby, of Emporia, KS and Vanessa (Eric) Stephens of Syracuse, UT; daughter Ronda (Rich) Bachman, of Colby, KS and grandsons John (Taylor) Brottem, of Beaumont, TX and Jesse (Kristin) Brottem, of Colby; great grandchildren, James, Loreali, Dean and Samuel Roby, Alexis and Royce Stephens and Jackson and Karsen Brottem; and many other family, extended family members and many, many friends and acquaintances.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2024, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Colby United Methodist Church, with burial in Beulah Cemetery, Colby. Memorials may be made to the Prairie Museum of Art and History or Pioneer Memorial Library and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com