In Memory of Eugene A. Gross

Eugene A. Gross, age 94, of Battle Creek, Iowa, entered his heavenly home on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 9, 2024, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. Rev. Randy D. Cormeny will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.

 The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Homes of Battle Creek and Ida Grove, Iowa, are in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Eugene’s name may be directed to the St. John’s Lutheran Church 608 5^th Street Battle Creek, IA 51006.

Eugene Arnold Gross was born on June 25, 1930, the sixth of ten children born to Joseph and Josephine (Blum) Gross. He grew up in the Earling and Dunlap, Iowa, area and attended Catholic School through the 8^th Grade. When finished with his schooling, he began working as a farm hand for his father.

In June of 1951 Eugene was united in marriage to Betty Mengwasser in Defiance, Iowa. The couple made their home north of Ricketts, Iowa and were blessed with three children: Terry, Jim, and Mike. In 1966 the family moved to Holstein, Iowa, where Eugene continued to work as a farm hand. Eugene and Betty would later part ways. 

Eugene began working at VT Industries in Holstein. It was a career that would span 38 years until his retirement. While working at VT, he met Sharon Susie. The couple were married on October 4, 1980 and Eugene welcomed her children Jackie, Jody, Jason, and Brett into their blended family. Eugene and Sharon made their home in Battle Creek, Iowa. 

In his spare time, Eugene enjoyed fishing, woodworking, mowing lawns with his buddies, and cruising around town in his golf cart. His faith was his passion. Eugene was a devoted and active member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek where he volunteered and served in many areas. Most important to him was his family. He loved family get togethers and telling stories to his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish his memory include his son Mike (Melissa Lantz) Gross of Ida Grove, IA; stepsons Jason (Lisa) Bockelmann of Sergeant Bluff, IA and Brett (Lynne) Susie of Neola, IA; daughter-in-law Mary Gross of Holstein, IA; sons-in-law Randy Mefferd of Sloan, IA and Johnny Nash of Sioux City, IA; 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren; brothers Jerry (Sharon) Gross of Earling, IA and Vern (Ginger) Gross of Palm Dale, CA; sister Marie (Charles) Klein of Earling, IA; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Josephine Gross; wife Sharon Gross; sons Terry Gross and James (Lori) Gross; stepdaughters Jackie Mefferd and Jody Nash; grandson Tyler Gross; siblings Leo (Ruth) Gross, Leona (Elmer) Babel, Alfonse (Maxine) Gross, Helen (Marvin) Bissen, Dorothy (Henry) Coenen, and Bob (Mary) Gross.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Albert Veltri, Horn Memorial Hospital, Willow Dale Wellness Village, and Horn Home Health Hospice for their care and compassion while caring for Eugene.