Stanley James Gross

Stanley Gross of Pine City passed away at his home Sunday, January 14, 2018 at the age of 90.

Stanley James Gross was born November 25, 1927 to George and Harriet (Brown) Gross in Braham, Minnesota. He lived, played and worked on the family farm west of Pine City until he graduated from Pine City High School in the spring of 1945.

World War II ended on August 14, 1945, Stanley still wanted to serve. On October 9, 1945 at the age of 17, he forged his own enlistment papers in order to get in! Of course, the Navy found out but did not send him home. Apparently there were many young men like Stanley; the Navy assigned him to the Minority Crew until his 18th birthday.

Stanley served 2 years 11 months and 23 days in the Navy. He was a radio operator and served on 6 different ships. There must surely have been a shortage of radio operators during those years because that averaged one ship transfer every 6 months! Stanley earned the China Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He returned to Pine City on October 1, 1948.

On February 12, 1950 he married his one and only Dorothy Strassener. Jobs were very scarce in this area, so they decided to move to Moorhead, Minnesota. Dorothy’s son Dean stayed back and lived with Dorothy’s parents, Mike and Lula Strassener. In Moorhead, Stanley found work driving a soft drink truck and it was also in Moorhead where their first daughter was born. After 14 months, when Kathy was just 2 months old they moved back to Pine City. Upon returning, they rented a farm house owned by Dorothy’s parents. It was during this time Randy, Deb and Rodney were born.

Stanley worked the farm land, raised cattle, chickens, pigs, geese and anything else they could sell to feed the family. During that time he also worked many jobs, lost parts of 4 fingers at Dahlmans and was a welding foreman until he retired in the early 1990’s. Stanley and Dorothy loved working at Pine Camp Ballroom, enjoying the polka music while he bartended and she was a waitress.

One of the first things they did after retirement was take that “dream vacation” to Alaska in their motorhome with Donald, Erven and Joan. It was one of the best times he ever had!

His kids said that he was the type of Dad all kids would want; because whenever they did something they shouldn’t have, and that was quite often, he would just say “don’t do that again” and they didn’t!

Stanley loved his family and he will be dearly missed!

Stan is survived by his wife Dotty Gross of Pine City; children Dean Strassener of FL, Kathy (Steve) Nelson of Stillwater, Randy (Connie) Gross of Braham, Debbie Gross of Otsego, Rodney (Becky) Gross of Pine City; 14 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; brother Ervin (Joan) Gross of St. Paul; sister Shirley Sheehan of St. Paul; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents George and Hattie Gross; siblings Donald Gross, Duane (Jean) Gross, Marcella Christianson, Phyllis (Al) Mammenga and Norman Gross.

Funeral services for Stan were held Friday, January 19, 2018 at the Swanson Chapel. The interment took place at Birchwood Cemetery in Pine City with Military Honors provided by the U.S. Navy, Pine City Novak-Milliren VFW Post #4258 and American Legion Post #51. Casket bearers were Nicholas Gross, Sarah Nelson, Jim Gross, Steven Nelson, Mike Gross and Joseph Garrison. Music was provided by Ed Pangerl.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel. www.FuneralAndCremationService.com