Sally J. Rossman

Atkinson — Sally Jane Rossman, 82, of Atkinson, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 at Parkside Manor Assisted Living in Stuart.

Visitation was held Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 at Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson with a prayer service.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Atkinson.

Burial was in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Atkinson.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Our Sallyy

beautiful, vibrant & always loving

 daughter | sister | wife | mother | aunt | grandma | cousin | friend

Written for my Grandma Sally

Sarah Jane (Robey) Rossman was one of a kind in the best way. She took every opportunity to fully LIVE LIFE.. and she always looked great doing it. One of the stories my mom would tell about Grandma Sally is the time they went on a cruise and the suitcase with all her shoes got lost. She was forced to wear the same pair of red flats for the entire vacation. People don't tell stories like that about you unless you've earned them. And she did, because she was an icon. The only thing that rivaled her wardrobe for the occasion, was her colorful saying to match any conversation.

Grandma was born on June 13th, 1942, in Indianapolis, IN to Wayne and Mildred (Karsner) Robey. She was brought home to her older brother Lee Robey and life began. While in Indianapolis, Glen Lamkin came into their lives and Grandma gained a stepdad and two more brothers Bruce and Mike Lamkin. The family moved to El Paso, Texas where she attended high school. She met a group of girlfriends she kept in touch with after graduation and still told stories about to present day. 

Right out of the gate and beyond – without a doubt, she was LIVING.

While in El Paso, Grandma met Delbert Rossman, a member of the U.S. Army who was stationed there. We all know how this story goes. They were married June 18th, 1961, and never looked back. They moved to Atkinson when Grandpa Del got out of the Army and started farm life north of town in 1962. My dad Bruce and uncles Mark and Rodney completed their family. They built their dream home in 1975 where all three boys were raised. Together they worked side by side to expand the farming operation to what would become known as D&S Farms. In that house you believed in working hard and playing harder. They always found time for boating with friends on the weekend when the chores were done. 

Things weren't always easy, but they made the most of it every day. There was never a van ride that wasn't filled with music – together, they were LIVING.

Grandma and Grandpa loved taking trips with family and their friend groups. You could bet your bottom dollar you could find them in Vegas regularly. Many vacations came from seed corn sales where they met lifelong friends along the way. Snowmobiling, skiing and the beach were popular destinations for Grandma, but none topped her favorite type of trip. A shopping trip. 

She was always up for anything and the life of the party. With the loudest laugh of them all - she was LIVING. 

Grandma was blessed with so many talents and was heavily involved with her church, community and the school, especially West Holt FFA. She held the position of the State FFA Alumni President for three years, but her appointment of designated driver of the old, tan school van may be her longest reigning title. From a huge meal for the farming crew to your wedding cake, there was no event the mint master couldn't cover. If you are from Atkinson, she probably taught you to water ski. If she didn't, she definitely made your corsage for prom, bouquet for Mother's Day or arrangement to celebrate your occasion. No one can forget that signature Sally Rossman bow. At one point she turned her love for visiting and craftsmanship into a career at The Hair House. She may not have been awarded best manicurist of the trade but watching her through the years she taught us all the importance of coloring outside the lines. Clowning, bell choir, gardening, community theater, the list could fill the page.

She was a woman who used each of her talents for good and made everyone around her feel special - always loving what she did while LIVING.

As a grandma, “no” was rarely in her vocabulary. The day started with Belgian waffles for breakfast, cheese and wheels for supper and whatever else we wanted in between. If her foogie faces were having fun, she was happy. Growing up there was nothing better than loading up in the Cadillac, licorice and lifesavers in their designated Ziploc bags, and heading to the cabin at Hidden Paradise with her and Grandpa. We'd grab our tubes and walking sticks and float down the creek together singing “Do Your Ears Hang Low” followed by whatever song Grandma Sally started next. She would let us explore on our own as long as we could hear her unmistakable whistle to come on back to Rossman Roost cabin when it was time to eat. 

Water was cold and bug bites were many but man - we were LIVING.

Grandpa Del got sick and fought a long hard battle with cancer. The entire time Grandma was by his side. She was always our light but became the backbone of the family when he no longer had the strength to be. We lost him in spring 2002. I remember admiring her strength at his memorial where she sang every word to each song we played for him with such grace and composure.

Grandpa might not have been there anymore but with time, her light got brighter again. Although life looked different - she kept on LIVING.

In her later years she enjoyed traveling and wintering in Mesa, AZ with dear friends. She met Arnold Emery and they became the center of each other's world. They held a commitment ceremony pledging their love for one another. She moved to Wayne, where they lived for three years until he passed in 2015. Together their love made us all believe in second chances. 

She sold her and grandpa's farmhouse to downsize to her apartment in town. Then later, to Prairie Winds in Atkinson and eventually Parkside Manor in Stuart. The square footage became a challenge to fit all the decor and items deemed necessary, but as Grandma would say where there's a will there's a way. While she was there surrounded by her favorite things, she usually became everyone's favorite person in the building being the social butterfly she was. Of course, still putting her lipstick on before dinner until the end.

Life became slower, conversations became deeper and time together meant more, but to be honest – that's the true meaning of LIVING.

On the day Grandma Sally passed, I went for a walk outside. It was almost 60 degrees at the end of January in Nebraska and not a cloud in sight. I know that was her. Wherever she went, she always brought her own sunshine. I was thinking about all the amazing things that made Grandma who she was and I landed on one of her most infamous traits, being notoriously late. I thought about this more and I think I know the reason why. 

She was probably deciding which accessories were needed for her outfit, which would later become a conversation piece of the night – worth the extra 10 minutes. She might have forgotten to water one of those gorgeous pots of hers in the summer that we all enjoyed so much – worth the extra 15 minutes. More than likely, she ran into someone along the way and witnessed something she just had to comment on. No detail went unnoticed by her and she made sure you knew it – worth the extra 20 minutes. When you shared a meal with her, she would be the last one finished with her plate because she made a point to talk to every person at her table. You'd feel like you had the best seat in the house – worth the extra 25 minutes. She always gave her time and attention to others which is why everyone felt so connected to her – worth the extra 30 minutes.

When you think about it, Grandma was never late, she was just living life a little bit more than the rest of us. 

To our Sally, we love you, we miss you, we will see you again. Until then, we know you're “off and running like a herd of turtles!” but this time to the best place of all - up there, LIVING.

Sally is survived by her three sons Bruce (Shirley) of Springview, Mark (Susan) of Atkinson and Rod Rossman (Taylor Moran) of Daufuskie Island, SC; one brother Mike (Sue) Lamkin of Wichita, KS; five grandchildren Jamie Gokie, Megan Rossman, Brooke Farewell, Kaitlyn Butterfield and Trey Rossman; 11 great-grandchildren; and her in-laws Laverne Rossman, Shirley Rossman and Carol Robey.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Delbert and two brothers Lee Robey and Bruce Lamkin.