Veronica Koss

Veronica Koss

March 05, 1934 - March 05, 2022

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Obituary

In loving memory of our mother Veronica “Ronnye” Seton Smith Koss who was born on March 5, 1934 and passed away on her 88th birthday March 5, 2022. She was born to Veronica Bernadette (McVeigh) Smith and Phillips Waller Smith Senior in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

She was raised throughout the country as her father served in the Military.She then settled in Madison, Wisconsin with her grandparents Marie Cholvin Smith and Albert Smith.

She graduated from Madison West H.S., University of Wisconsin Madison B.S. in Applied Art, 1957 and M.F.A in 1987.

She raised, loved, mentored, and was an inspiration to her three children Tara Ann, Holly, and Phil Koss. Ronnye loved her little schnauzer dog companions. Ronnye was very creative and used her art throughout her life in her careers and private life. She was truly a lifelong learner in many areas of interest to her: different art mediums, antiques, history, travel, birds, rock hounding, and the computer, taking many different classes throughout her life, even learning about Drones. She loved to travel and visited many places with her children and friends.

She loved teaching Photography and Art at Columbus College, GA and Western Kentucky University, where the students admired her for her advice and encouragement.

Ronnye participated in numerous shows to showcase her photographic work. She also photographed the glass of Jean Claude Novaro for the book King of Glass.

She retired to Surprise, Arizona, to enjoy the art of photography, to continue learning, traveling, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and friends. At that time she also worked at American Fine Art, Inc. Scottsdale, Arizona as a design consultant and one of the print and multiples directors.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses Tara Ann (Danny) Tippy, Katherine Holly (Gary) Halberslaben, Phillips Andrew (Courtney) Koss. Her nine grandchildren: Patrick (Amanda Brown) Tippy, Elizabeth (David) Escobar, Andrew, Stephen and Jennifer Halberslaben, Phillips, Gabrielle, Kirk and Grace Koss. Great grandchildren Emilia Escobar and Oscar Tippy. Her loving sisters, Anastatia Hartmann and Sandra Smith. Many supportive cousins, nieces, nephews, and great friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents General Phillips Waller Smith Senior and Veronica (McVeigh) Smith, brother Phillips Smith Jr..

Her achievements were never-ending: The art shows she won and participated in to name a few.

Alive and Well: Art in the KAA, Brescia College. 1992

Trans Artra Gallery, Soho, New York. Photography Exhibition 1992 Marcelle Fine Art Gallery, New York 1992

Art Exhibition, Central Iowa Women’s Caucus for the Arts. 1992

ARC Gallery, Chicago, Illinois. Miniature photo book:

This is the House that Ronnie Built.

“Expose Yourself”. WKU Gallery 1992

10th annual juried art exhibition, Capital Arts Center, Bowling Green, Kentucky. 1990 “Flash Art” Capital Arts Center - Best in Show “Cooling Off - Lifeline” 1990 “New Works” WKU Art exhibition, WKU art gallery

Henderson Art Show, Henderson Arts Council, Henderson, Kentucky 1990. “The Nude” 89 Loudon House, Lexington Art, Lexington Kentucky. 1989 Exhibition of the Works of the Souther Kentucky Photographic Society, Bowling Green Kentucky. 1991

6th Annual Henderson Arts Council Exhibition Henderson, Kentucky 1991 “Cooling Off”

Photography Exhibition, Evansville Museum of arts and Science, Evansville, Indiana. 1991

10th Annual Art Exhibition, Capital Arts Center, Bowling Green, Kentucky. 1990 “Afterglow”

Kentucky Graphics 88 - Headily-Whitney Museum, Lexington Kentucky. 1988 LaGrange National XIII Lamar Dodd Art Center. LaGrange, Georgia. 1988 One woman photography exhibit Edgewood College, Madison Wisconsin Invitational 1987

M.F.A Exhibition University of Wisconsin. 1987

“Graphics Exhibitions” Southern Illinois University Carbondale Illinois 1987 “Relationships”, University of Wisconsin - Juried 1987

“Response” University of Wisconsin 1985

“Camera Concepts 1985” University of Wisconsin

Portfolio “Frozen Shutter”, Collaborative work of 8 Photographers exhibited and purchased by the University of Wisconsin. 1985

“Photospiva 84” Spiva Art Center, Joplin, Missouri 1984

“Magic Silver Show” Murray State University, Murray Kentucky1984 “And Let There Be Color” University of Wisconsin. 1983

“10th Print Color USA” Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 1983

“Camera Concepts” University of Wisconsin Madison 1982

“1980 Olympic” Ad for United Bank - Histories Peoria Illinois

Society of Photographic Educators

Southern Kentucky Photographic Society

In lieu of flowers to honor Ronnye Koss you may donate to the International Crane Foundation, a Humane Society in your area, or to a cause of your choice.

Funeral will be held on March 17th Visitation at 4 PM Service at 5PM at Ryan Funeral Home 5701 Odana Road in Madison WI, 53719

She will be laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery on March 18th.

Arrangements made by Ryan Funeral Home

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LC
Lisa (Hartmann) Chilton
Other •
Sympathies to family and friends with the passing of my aunt Ronnye. I'll never forget her advice on purchasing my first car, a 1971 Fiat Spyder. She said, "Get the hot red sports convertible while you're young and single and enjoy life!" And it was enjoyable when the car decided to run! Aunt Ronnye always found a way to enjoy life and make dreams happen, no matter the obstacles or problems. A toast to Aunt Ronnye, from neice Lisa (Hartmann) Chilton
MA
Mary "Ricki" McKittrick Ackerman
Other •
Ronneye and I met at the University of Wisconsin, Madison when we both pledged Kappa Alpha Theta. We were the best of friends from then on- going through art school together- hiking up Bascom Hill with our heavy boards and tackle boxes filled with art supplies. We did everything together! Where one of us went- we went together! We double dated , visited each others family homes and had a great time. I was a bridesmaid in Ronneye's wedding. Her sister Sandra and I were roomates at the sorority house also and Sandy was in my wedding. Later when my husband and family moved back to Milwaukee-Ronneye was there and again- we did everything together. We worked out at the gym, took up sewing, lingerie making, upholstery,Swedish tole painting, and decoupage. We became juried members of the Wisconsin Artists Asso. As couples, we went on trips together- the Great Smokies and skiing in Aspen,Colo. We made a pact to entertain each other with our best recipes and ambiance. I remember she spent a whole day making paella for us-a gourmet delight! She was a best friend to me and I will treasure our memories. I treasure HER. I will not ever forget her.She was an an "Original!"- Mary Ackerman-"Ricki"
H
Holly
Other •
Mom I light this candle in your name and memoryLove,Holly
TH
Tony H.
Other •
Aunt Ronnye was one of a kind! A force of nature. Feisty and fun, from her fire engine red '64 Impala convertible, to backyard pool parties w/ the extended family, to Pepsi-fueled holiday roundtables -- where she went toe-to toe story-telling and debating her 3 siblings, while the rest of us could only stand back, slack-jawed, taking it all in. Hard to believe you're gone.We miss you already Auntie Ron!
TT
Tara Tippy
Other •
The Broken Chain We little knew that day, God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, You did not go alone. For part of us went with you, The day God called you home. You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide. And although we cannot see you, You are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again. By Ron Tranmer I love you and miss you Mom~ Rest In Peace. Tara Ann
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Tim W. Taylor
Other •
I met Ronnie at Western Kentucky University. I had taken an upper level artistic photography class and she challenged me to embrace my perspective of my surroundings. She was a needed inspiration, a wonderful teacher, a mentor to me and a cherished friend. One fall break, she couldn't return home for Thanksgiving and, knowing I was staying alone through the break, invited me to have Thanksgiving dinner at her house. We talked on music, art and ambitions. It was a lovely time. She was working with primary lighting in her photography at the time and her abode was alive with her work. I dearly wish we had crossed paths again but I've always carried her wisdom and inspiration with me. PS I still don't follow deadlines! Timothy W. Taylor

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