Karen Ross

Karen Marie Ross, 82 of Traverse City, formerly of Benzonia, died Wednesday, December 31, 2025. She is the mother of Chris Settles, Janet (Settles) Buchalla, Storm Ross (Amanda) and Jessica (Ross) Soloman (Jason), and stepmother of Michelle (Ross) Bissell (Dave), Mark Ross (Barb), Jack Ross Jr. (Boo) (Katy), Mike Ross (Kathy), and Charles Ross (Cheryl), and the grandmother of numerous beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brother Ken Armstrong and sisters-in-law Nancy and Phyllis Armstrong. She is preceded in death by her parents, Arlington and Dorothy Armstrong, her husband, Jack Ross Sr., sister Sharon (Armstrong) Knop, brothers Jim and Harry Armstrong, sister-in-law Vicki Armstrong, brother-in-law Ralph Knop, stepsons Mark and Charles Ross, and grandchildren Jason and Jill Ross.

Karen grew up in Benzie County and had fond memories of spending summers swimming at the beach, biking around town with friends, baking cookies with her grandmother and ice-fishing with her Dad. After marrying Jack, they raised their family on an 80-acre farm, practically an all-season playground for their children. She would spend much of her time driving the property in her Cadillac Eldorado, herding cows and fixing fences while looking forward to Jack coming home after practicing dentistry all week in Bad Axe. After living on the farm for a number of years, she worked alongside Jack and their friends to refurbish the old Benzonia High School, her former school, into a home for her family and many other people she cared about.

Karen was a source of great strength and support to her family. She could be counted on to be at every music lesson, dance recital, karate tournament, school event, and marathon, no matter the time, cost, or distance involved. Despite having such a busy family life, she always took the time to inquire about everyone’s day and make sure they were well-fed.

Later in life, Karen took great pride in working as the office manager for Grapevine Denture, Jack’s private dental clinic in Traverse City. She took great care of everyone and will be missed so much.

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