Russell "Rusty" Ross

December 25, 1961 — March 03, 2026

Russell Ross

Service Details

Russell “Rusty” Ross, 64, passed away peacefully at Taylor House Hospice with his family by his side on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Rusty was born December 25, 1961, in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from North High School. He worked for Contractors Rental for close to 30 years. Following that, he was employed at Capital City Equipment. On February 15, 2015, Rusty made the decision to devote his life to sobriety. He attended the White House regularly and helped inspire others to improve their lives. Rusty was a gun collector and an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. But his greatest role in life was as “Papa” to his grandbabies.

He is survived by his daughters, Shelby Ross and Tayler (Shiloh) Sorensen; grandchildren, Chance Losee, Reagan Losee, Wrenley Sorensen, and Willow Sorensen; mother of his daughters, Theresa (Rob) Jorgenson; mother, Theobelle “Ted” Ross; close friend, Derrick Campbell; and a host of other family and close friends.

Rusty was preceded in death by his father, Rudy Ross; mother-in-law, Jeanie Cook; son-in-law, Bradley Losee; and his sister-in-law, Mary Nutt.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.