Nancy M. Ross

The family of Nancy Marie (Bowler) Ross of Star, ID is saddened to announce her passing on November 11, 2025, at the age of 78 after a long battle with several health issues.

Nancy was the first of three daughters born to Ralph & Dorothy Bowler at Bethany Deaconess Hospital in American Falls, Idaho on December 18, 1946. She attended all grades in American Falls graduating high school in 1965. She then attended the University of Idaho, where she received her bachelor’s degree in education in 1969. She went on to teach high school in Leslie, Michigan and was also a cheer coach.

Nancy met her first husband Richard H. Ross, Jr. while in Moscow, Idaho. They were married in July 1967 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in American Falls. After graduating college, they moved to Indiana where they started their family. Their first child, Diedre Marie (Votaw), arrived on November 12, 1974, and their son, David Eugene, was born on April 12, 1977. They were later divorced and Nancy returned to American Falls to raise the kids and be close to her family. There she had several jobs, worked as a middle school special educational paraprofessional and helped run the family farms, Bowler Ranches, Inc.

In 1982, Nancy married Max Eugene Baker (deceased) and enjoyed adding six children to the family, Max II, Beth Saldana (deceased), Carolyn Redding, Patricia Nolan, Keith & Kenneth, although most of them were older, she thought of them very dearly. Even after her & Max divorced in 1989, she kept in touch with several of the kids.

In 2009, Nancy retired and moved to Star, ID to be closer to her son, David, and his family.

Most of Nancy’s life involved different masonic family organizations. She was a Past Honored Queen & second-generation Past Bethel Guardian of Bethel #37 Job’s Daughters International in American Falls, as well as a Life Member of Idaho Job’s Daughters. Nancy joined Lakeview Chapter #71 Order of Eastern Star in American Falls in 1965 while still in high school. She went on to become the Worthy Grand Matron of Idaho in 2004-2005. She was also a member of Iras Temple #40 Daughter’s of the Nile and a Past President of Assembly #120 the Social Order of the Beauceant.

Nancy loved to take cruises & travel through the state to visit her Masonic family as often as she could. She also enjoyed bowling, drawing, gardening, crafting, beading and collecting. One of her favorite sayings was “I collect everything but money.”

She is survived by her daughter Diedre (Will) Votaw of Star, ID, son David (Jennifer) Ross of Star, ID; 5 stepchildren; grandchildren, William (Destiny) Votaw of Mountain Home, ID, Dawson, Aidan & Lily Ross of Star, and McKenzie Votaw of Star; and one great-grandson, Jaxon Votaw of Mountain Home. Her sisters Mary Frances (Curt) Bischoff of Salt Lake City, UT and Gayle Sue (Randy) Anderson of Idaho Falls, ID, along with many cousins, nieces & nephews.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Dorothy Bowler, one grandson Samuel Votaw, one nephew, Chad Bischoff, and many beloved pugs.

A memorial service will be held on December 6, 2025, at 12:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity located at 828 W Cherry Lane, Meridian, ID, with a reception provided by Nancy’s Eastern Star Chapters. There will be a burial service on February 28, 2026, at the Falls View Cemetery in American Falls, ID at 12:00pm with a reception to follow at the Pocatello Masonic Lodge located at 535 N Arthur Ave in Pocatello, ID. If the weather does not allow for graveside, the service will be moved to the Pocatello Masonic Lodge.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Nancy’s memory to the Idaho Eastern Star Grand Chapter Scholarship Fund. Checks can be made out to: Grand Chapter of Idaho, and mailed to PGM Joan Heisch, Gr Secretary, 910 W Palouse River Dr, Moscow, ID 83843; or to the Kendra Harris Memorial Cosmetology Scholarship at Idaho State University by mailing a check made out to Idaho State University Foundation with Kendra Harris Cosmetology Scholarship on the memo line and send to the Alumni Center at 921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83209 or you may donate online by visiting https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/69178/donations/new and in the Designation portion, type Kendra Harris and click on the scholarship.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.