Wilma Louise Upton Ross, 89, of Merino, died March 21, 2011, in Sterling. Family will be receiving friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Holechek Funeral Home, 1212 10th, Sidney, Neb. Cremation was chosen.

She was born Dec. 20, 1921, in McAlester, Okla, to Olin M. and Lula Mae (Bowles) Upton. Her family moved to Oklahoma City, where she graduated from Central High School.

In 1943, she married Gene Shuler, a Schlumberger perforating enginee, in Oklahoma City. They spent many years chasing the wildcat oilfields, moving to Sidney, Neb., the second time in 1957.

She married Dennis Ross, a driller with a local oil producing company, in Sidney in 1960.

Mrs. Ross remained in Sidney until 2009, when she moved to Merino.

She was an avid Denver Broncos fan.

Mrs. Ross is survived by her sons, Gene Shuler and wife Freddie of Lawton, Okla., Wes Shuler and wife Tonya of Albuquerque, N.M., Dennis Ross and wife Penny of Minot, N.D.; daughter, Linda Dougherty of Merino; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Olin and Lula Upton.

Memorials may be made to any veterans organization of donor's choosing.