Francis G. Gross
Francis George
Gross, age 82 passed away at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis on September 19, 2008. He was born at home in Belle
Tower, Montana on June 14, 1926 to Mike Frank Gross and Mary Etta (Wickham) Gross. He grew up in the Belle Tower area and
Ekalaka, Montana going to school at Belle Tower Community School through the eighth grade. He attended Ekalaka Public School
in the ninth grade but had to quit school to work on the family farm. He later earned his GED.
He married Gloria Ludwick
and from this union had two children, Dell and Lori. They resided in Glendive, Montana where he worked for the local lumber
yard and the Montana Highway Department. In 1968 the family moved to Pine City and operated the Family Theatre and the Pine
Outdoor Theatre in Pine City.
He later married Beth Cherrier and adopted Beth’s daughter Heather. From this union
Brenda and Michele were born. After selling the Family Theatre, Francis returned to farming, raising horses, Angus and dairy
cattle. After his divorce he moved into town and worked several jobs in Pine City. He was the janitor for Our Redeemer Lutheran
Church, delivered the Advertiser and Pine City Pioneer, and worked for the city of Pine City doing various jobs including
working at the compost site, skating rink and animal control. He was also a member of the movie theatre projectionist union
and worked many years in the metro area running projectors at various movie houses.
Francis was a giving and loving
father to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed working the land and raising a garden, especially his tomatoes, hunting
elk and antelope in Montana, riding in his boat, having coffee at McDonalds and visiting with his friends and neighbors. During
his time in Montana and Minnesota he was also involved in the Rod and Gun Club and Saddle Clubs. He was a very friendly man,
generous, and had a reputation for teasing that will never be forgotten.
He is survived by one son, Dell (Kris), and
four daughters, Lori (Steve) Fore, Heather (George) Gow, Brenda (Josh) Mohr, and Michele (Chris) Nowling; his grandchildren,
Cody (Sarah Rydberg) Youngbauer, Shane Youngbauer, Natasha Gross, Nathaniel Gross, Tyler Mohr; his step-grandchildren, Shairadan
Nowling, Brianna Fore, Steven Fore, and Hunter Fore and great grandchildren, Ryder Youngbauer and Brenna Youngbauer and step-grandson
Bryson Fore. He is also survived by his brother and sisters, David (Vonnie) Gross, Rosie Bell and Etta Dorene (David) Mrnak,
sister-in-law Rene Gross, nieces and nephews and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers,
Milton and mike and brother-in-law Harold Bell.
A visitation and funeral were held at Swanson Funeral Chapel on Tuesday
evening, Septmber 23, 2008 with Pastor Vicki VanderVegt of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church officiating. Arrangements were made
by Swanson Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City.
