Louise A. Gross

Louise A. Gross, 83, of Rockford passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Highview in the Woodlands. Born August 23, 1933, in Chicago, the daughter of Adolf and Rose (Vesely) Lentz. Louise married William J. Gross on June 5, 1954, in Cicero, Illinois. She was an English teacher with the Rockford School District, retiring from Eisenhower after 20 years. Louise was a member of Third Presbyterian Church since 1963. She was a Girl Scout Leader, a member of the Rockford Women’s Club and was active with the Ostende Dance Club. Louise enjoyed getaways at her home in Door County where she was a lifetime member of The Ridges Sanctuary in Bailey’s Harbor and a lifetime member of the Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park in Door County. She was an excellent cook and loved to entertain. Louise was a great golfer, active in leagues at Forest Hill County Club and Sinnissippi Golf Course. She also had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening. Louise loved her family and especially loved being a grandma to her many grandchildren. The Gross Family would like to give a special thank you to Deb and the staff at Highview in the Woodlands as well as Northern Illinois Hospice.
Survived by her husband, William J.; children, Catherine (Ronald) Pieper of Rockford, Patricia (Darwin) Lawson of Darlington, Wisconsin and Susan (Paul) Muraski of Roscoe; grandchildren, Timothy (Tori) Pieper, Samantha Muraski, Amanda (Aaron) Geffre, Christopher (Lauren) Pieper, Dan (fiancée, Emma) Lawson, Thomas Lawson and Alexandria Muraski; great-grandchildren, Bryce and Nolan Pieper; sister, Marian (Lester) Miller of Mesquite, Nevada. Predeceased by her parents.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017 at Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rockford Literacy Council. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, assisted the family. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.