Renee (Ross) Vetter

Service

2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 17
First Presbyterian Church Memphis

10 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 24
St. Mark's Presbyterian Church
Ballwin, MO

Memorials

Memphis First Presbyterian Church

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation

{July 26, 1952 - Feb. 7, 2018}

Renee Ross Vetter, 65, passed away February 7, 2018 surrounded by the love and prayers of her family and countless friends.

She was born on July 26, 1952 to Robert Samuel “Bob” and Lois Irene (DeRosear) Ross in Memphis.

She was a member of Scotland County R-1 class of 1970, and received her B.S. in secondary education from the University of Missouri in 1974.

After working at the family Dairy Queen through school, Renee started her career as a teacher in Rolla, MO, then taught in St. Louis. She entered a new career in travel working first at TWA, and later at Maritz Travel Company. She was a member of Alpha Phi sorority, P.E.O. and active with St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Ballwin, MO. After nearly 40 years in St. Louis, she re-located back home to the Memphis area for retirement.

Renee was a beloved wife, mother, aunt and friend who selflessly cared for others.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by Donald, her husband of 32 years; daughter, Hannah; son-in-law, Andrew; sister, Robin; and nephew, Derek.

A memorial service was held February 17 at the First Presbyterian Church in Memphis, MO.

An additional memorial service in St. Louis was held February 24, at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Ballwin, MO.

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28 comments

  1. Renee was a sorority sister of mine at MU. I was able to touch base with her a year and a half ago at the home of another sorority sister and started following her thru Facebook. My sympathy to the family. She will be missed.

    Comment by Elaine Pipkin on February 8, 2018 at 11:00 pm
  2. I have great memories of Renee from my time working with her at Mexico High School when she did her student teaching in my classroom. When I completed my course work for my Master’s, Renee called to let me know about the opening at Rolla High. She is the reason I came to Rolla. While we didn’t remain in contact, I owe her a debt of gratitude. Rest In Peace dear lady.

    Comment by John Woodfin on February 9, 2018 at 7:49 am
  3. My thoughts are with Don, Hannah, Robin and her extended family. I knew Renee through my sister, Jennifer Ailor. I loved to hear their stories from Rolla and from their many years of friendship. Quite often, when I would be with Jennifer, we would call Renee to tell her a funny story or to have her re-tell a story. She had a fabulous sense of humor. She provided a deep friendship to my sister and I know she will be missed. The last few days Jennifer and I have reminisced about some of her stories and been able to laugh, which I think Renee would want!!

    Comment by Audrey Whitney on February 9, 2018 at 10:09 am
  4. What a joy Renee was! I will miss her so much. I knew her at Maritz and always looked forward to being with her. She was soooo sharp and funny!
    And she was always so proud of Hannah. These last two years I was so inspired by her guts, courage and humor. I’m so grateful to have known her.

    Comment by Marilyn Marcus on February 9, 2018 at 12:26 pm
  5. Renee was a charter member in Chapter LB along with me years ago. We immediately had a connection as I was from Keokuk, and graduate of Un. of MO. also. She was a wonderful friend and P.E.O. sister, I hadn’t seen her in many years but still considered her a great friend. Rest in peace dear friend.

    Comment by Marty Sorth on February 9, 2018 at 1:12 pm
  6. Renee was just a beautiful person inside and out. She was so helpful with my ticketing while at Maritz. Always a pleasure to talk to and treated everyone with total respect. Never met her husband or daughter but you both were so blessed to have you in your lives

    Comment by Doug Beckerle on February 9, 2018 at 8:08 pm
  7. (Renee always knew my husband as “Howdy”–something she told me a few months ago.)

    When Renee was a toddler, my husband Howard’s mother took care of her. She became the sister the Beall brothers never had! And she remained close to the family throughout the years. I first met Renee shortly after our marriage in 1964 when we traveled to Memphis, MO for Howard’s high school reunion. We attended church the following day, and that’s where I met Lois Ross and her daughters, Renee and Robin. They were about 9 and 6 years old at the time. Years later when we drove through Memphis, we stopped at the local Dairy Queen. Renee’s father, Bob Ross, had bought the Dairy Queen, and Renee was working there at that time. We had our two children with us at the time (Brian and Debbie), and Renee was probably around 16 at the time. We placed our order and went to in the dining area. Renee wanted to see our children, so she came into the dining area to meet them. I remember seeing her one other time much later in St. Louis.

    Howard called her every year around Christmas. He has fond memories of Renee and told me that when she was little, she could identify her sons’ shirts and the owner of each shirt.

    Rest in peace Renee. Howard has wonderful memories of you, and I am so glad I was able to meet you.

    Comment by "Howdy" & Barbara Beall on February 10, 2018 at 12:42 pm
  8. The Woman, as we affectionately called each other, entered my life in 1974 when we began sharing a trailer in Rolla, Mo., as newbie teachers at Rolla High School. She never left my life, and she became my dearest, best friend. We had so many funny experiences at Rolla. In fact, they filled pages in “The Book” that we finally wrote about those years.

    In the last card and note she sent me several months ago, the Woman named me her “very special friend,” repeating a phrase printed on the card. It touched me so. Now I realize her heart was so big that she had many, many very special friends, and she made each of us feel loved and appreciated.

    I have no doubt the Woman is having a field day in Heaven, cleaning, cooking, organizing, directing, even bossing the saints around. And she’s probably still a klutz! I told her to put in a good word for me when my time comes.

    Love you, Woman.
    One of your very special friends, Jenny

    Comment by Jennifer Ailor on February 10, 2018 at 1:03 pm
  9. My thoughts &!0 prayers are with Dean & Hannah at this sad time. I have so many wonderful memories of our times together! Camping,float trips, & great dinners at each other’s homes. Loved our kids growing up together! I’ll never forget so many happy times & the laughter we shared.

    Comment by Linda Bailey on February 10, 2018 at 2:20 pm
  10. Renee worked across the aisle from me at Maritz for years. Class lady, great smile, and friend. I’m saddened to learn of her passing, and expressing sincere condolences to her family and friends.

    Comment by Fred Zarf on February 10, 2018 at 2:42 pm
  11. I met Renee when she worked at CVS – Ellisville. Renee was/is a beautiful, caring soul and a very dear friend at work and away. We shared meals on occasion and friendship for 6 1/2 years… My thoughts and prayers are with you, the survivors, she loved you all very deeply. Renee was one of the sweetest women I have known… May Jesus watch over you all and keep you in peace..He shared Renee with you all for as long as possible. Love to you all.

    Comment by JANE JUD-ALMSTEDT on February 10, 2018 at 3:01 pm
  12. What a beautiful person, inside and out. Renee was one of those rare people who never said an unkind word about anyone and no one ever had anything been good things to say about her. She was loved by so many people who’s lives she touched. We were all fortunate to have been her friend. I will treasure her friendship always. Goodbye my friend, and thanks for all the wonderful memories.

    Comment by Marilyn Santana on February 10, 2018 at 3:18 pm
  13. Renee had an amazing talent for making all of her friends feel special. We’ve loved each other for 23 years with “our” Hannahs and that doesn’t change now. I will miss you, my sweet friend.

    Comment by Mary Lewis on February 10, 2018 at 3:47 pm
  14. Rest In Peace Renee. You will be missed by everyone who had the honor of knowing you. You touched the lives of so many people and always in a positive way. You will never be forgotten. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

    Comment by Sue Gill on February 10, 2018 at 6:09 pm
  15. My father was the Presbyterian pastor at Memphis in 1952-1957 and when Lois Ross needed a baby sister for Renee, she was excited to accept and welcome Renee into our family of 4 boys. Renee was the daughter and sister in our home that we never had….My Mother Mildred Beall loved Renee as we all did. She was the sister we did not have and we remained close friends for a lifetime. Renee will be remembered fondly and while she and my Mom are now dancing in Heaven we express sorrow to the family. May you rest in peace.

    Comment by Edward Beall on February 10, 2018 at 6:57 pm
  16. Renee had such a kind spirit. Always had a smile and very pleasant to everyone. I worked with her at Maritz for years.

    Comment by Betty Maurer on February 10, 2018 at 9:06 pm
  17. I met Renee when I was the new kid in Miss Wilson’s 4th grade class. It was 1961. We moved away from Memphis in 1967. Decades later we reconnected in St. Louis. I feel fortunate that we were able to share so many good times.
    The last time I was with Renee was at Hannah and Andrew’s wedding. So many of the other guests spoke about her kindness, warmth, compassion, humor and other positive attributes. Like me they loved her too.
    Don, Hannah. Andrew, Robin, Derek, Samantha, extended family, and many friends my prayers and sympathy go out to you.
    Renee I know you are in Heaven now with your parents and grandparents. Although I will miss you deeply, it’s a comfort to know that you are up there looking out for all of us. God bless you my dear friend.

    Comment by Christy Gray on February 11, 2018 at 9:12 am
  18. It is no surprise that from the time I met Renee, I knew we would be great friends. You just could not meet Renee and not love her. She once called me her Guardian Angel in Memphis, but it was hard to tell who was a guardian angel to whom. I am honored and blessed that our paths crossed! This precious friend had a gift of being interesting and interested, no matter what we talked about. Renee was warm, fun, and caring. I miss and love you friend.
    May Jesus watch over you, and give comfort to you and your family.

    Comment by Marcia Dial on February 11, 2018 at 7:18 pm
  19. I HAVE KNOWN RENEE FOR MANY MANY YEARS. SHE WAS ONE YEAR AHEAD OF ME IN SCHOOL IN MY SISTERS CLASS. WE HAD MANY LAUGHS. SHE FLEW TO FLORIDA WITH MY TWO SISTERS AND I IN 1969. MANY LAUGHS AND A LOT OF FUN. I WAS EVEN HER PROM DATE ONE YEAR. REST IN PEACE AND NO PAIN DEAR FRIEND. LOVE TO YOU AND ALL THE FAMILY…

    Comment by DAVID GARDINE on February 11, 2018 at 8:27 pm
  20. When we first met I was drawn to Renee. It has been
    a long time since we have seen each other. However,
    I have joyful memories. I felt her warmth and enjoyed
    her kindness. We bonded during the time we spent
    together. She was funny in such an innocent way.
    Peace of mind to her loved ones. Rest at last.

    Comment by Barbara Garascia on February 11, 2018 at 9:11 pm
  21. We loved Renee, all of us here at My Best Friend Veterinary Center in St Louis… She and Don were the very best pet parents to Alex, Trixie, Fly, Sheila, and CiCi, and we always enjoyed our visits. Renee was a delight, and the courage she showed these past two years was inspirational to all of us. We shall miss you dear friend! Rest in peace…
    With love, Dr Bill, Dr Sandy, Dr Tim, Janet, Laura, Katie, Julie, Sheree, and Ashley

    Comment by Bill Stehnach, DVM on February 12, 2018 at 9:01 am
  22. I’ve known Renee and family since our daughters played flute and became friends in middle school. We hung out at all of Hannah and Deirdre’s high school marching band, winter guard competitions and football games, friends for life ever since. Every time I think of Renee I start laughing at something she and I shared, nothing I can repeat, just funny stories, sometimes inappropriate, she always made me laugh out loud. She was brutally honest, my favorite quality, yet so caring and thoughtful, truly one of a kind. We are all blessed to have known Renee.

    Comment by Trish Braun on February 12, 2018 at 9:14 am
  23. Sorry for your loss.

    Comment by Richard Howell on February 16, 2018 at 7:53 am
  24. Two words, courage and grace.

    Comment by Vicki Dodge on February 16, 2018 at 7:59 am
  25. My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. Billy and I would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family! May your memories help you through this loss.

    Comment by Rhonda Davis on February 17, 2018 at 12:30 pm
  26. Renee and I met our first year of college at MU…. we remained friends ever since. We visited each others homes often and had many wonderful (sometimes crazy) times our 3 years there. I transferred to UMKC and after graduation moved to the Seattle area. We still kept in touch and Renee and Hannah visited me in both Seattle and Arizona; we made a lot of great memories together. It is a rarity today to remain such close and dear friends over the distance for so many years. We shared a lot of laughs, stories, and memories. She was a wonderful , caring friend who is greatly missed. I regret we did not have that last trip to Arizona… My love and thoughts are with all the family…

    Comment by Caroline Buck on February 18, 2018 at 2:32 pm
  27. So saddened to hear of Renee’s passing.
    I first met her at my P.E.O. Chapter LB when I lived in St. Louis. I sold Renee and Don their very first home on New Baldwin Rd. In fact, the Vetters were one of my very first clients as a new real estate agent.
    Even though I moved to Las Vegas 24 years ago,
    Renee and I still kept in touch at Christmas time.
    She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

    Comment by Kathy Leake Lucas on April 10, 2018 at 4:56 pm
  28. To me she will always be “Ms Ross” she was an amazing teacher and part of the Dynamic Duo (she and Ms Ailor) I had her for two years of drama. She taught me so much about drama and about myself. Sending Love and Positive Energy to her family.

    Comment by Tracey Watson on April 23, 2019 at 10:15 pm

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