Margaret Emma Ross, 91, of Mendota, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. She was born June 28, 1934, in Mendota, the daughter of Louis and Hilda (Eich) Larabee. She married Darwin Ross on February 9, 1958 in Compton, IL.

Margaret was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She took great pride in raising and caring for her family. As the oldest child, she learned early to cook and clean and tend to her siblings. She participated in the Ophir PTO and LaSalle County Home Extension. She held various jobs throughout her life, including working at Mendota Community Hospital, M.A.S.S., Mendota Lutheran Home, Buster's, as a daycare worker, and she took care of her grandchildren. She loved gardening, sewing, and traveling with her husband.

Margaret is survived by 3 sons: Craig (Renee) Ross of Chillicothe and their children Joshua and Gabriel; Mark (Jill) Ross of Mendota and their children, Benjamin (Delaney) and Zachary (Abby Motter); and Kirk (Kathy) Ross of Mendota and their children Emily (Jake) Cooke, Luke, and Olivia; four siblings, Betty (Craig) Beardsley, Richard (Cathy) Larabee, Mary Jane (Robert) Behrends, and Ron Larabee; brothers-in-law, Ronald (Jessie) Ross and Myron Goetz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Darwin; son, Scott; sister, Dorothy Martinson and Laura Jean Larabee; nephew, Chad Martinson; brother-in-law, Eldon (Marilyn) Ross; sister in law, Marilyn Goetz; grandson, William; and a niece, Sheri Owens.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 398 Church Road, in Compton with Pastor Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will follow in Greenfield Cemetery in La Moille. Contributions in Margaret's memory may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church or Mendota Area Senior Service. Please visit www.horner-merritt.com to sign the online guest book.