Gertrude Gross

Gertrude Genevieve (Goebel) Gross was born March 21, 1903 and left to lived in the Lord’s garden on Wednesday, December 20, 2006. Christian burial mass was held on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 10:30a.m., at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gettysburg with Fr. Mark Axtmann officiating.

Interment followed at the Catholic Cemetery. A rosary was held at 6:30p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00p.m. at the Catholic Church the evening of December 22. 2006. Luce Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Visitations hours were 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials were directed to the Oahe Manor or Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gettysburg.

Gertrude was the eldest of Mathias and Mary (Titgen) Goebel’s ten children who were raised on a farm near Hoven, SD. She married Emil Gross on June 28, 1922, and gave life and love to two sons and ten daughters. They farmed south of Gettysburg until 1944. After moving into the city of Gettysburg, Gert began clerking at the local hardware store, Johnny Moore’s, until it closed and then worked at the Ben Franklin dime store.

Gertrude filled her later years by babysitting, cooking, baking, gardening and canning for her extended family and friends. She was legendary for her dill pickles, sauerkraut, pickled beets and her divinity candy. Gert shared everything: touching the lives of many and her generous spirit will always be an inspiration to those who knew and loved her. In her leisure time, she enjoyed playing Bingo and later, cards with her Tuesday afternoon friends. Above all, Gertrude was devoted to her family, church and pets.

Gertrude is survived by one son, Richard of Sioux Falls, and nine daughters: Ruth (Francis) Doerr of Marystown, MN, Dorothy Shawgo og Faulkton, Alma Norman of Rapid City, Shirley Heck of Cottage Grove, MN, Phyliss (Richard) Pudwill of Selby, Yvonne (Richard) Brown of Excelsior, MN, Joyce Kobeski of Exton, PA, Elaine (Charles) Storkson of Gettysburg and Judi (Monte) Schneider of Pierre. Also surviving her are 43 grandchildren, more than 60 great-grandchildren and over 30 great-great grandchildren plus two brothers: Ray (Helen) Goebel and Francis (Marion) Goebel; and one sister: Hilda Naughton.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents, husband Emil, son Raymond and daughter Millie Thomas; two daughters-in-law: Fran and Zola; sons-in-law: Don Shawgo, Robert Norman, Earl Heck and Ed Kobeski; her brothers: Nick, Tony and Bill Goebel; three sisters: Barbara Kirchgasler, Agnes Nultemeier and Leone Moro and four grandchildren.