Gertrude "Gertie" Gross, age 96, formerly of Marytown, passed away Tuesday, September 24, 2013, at Willowdale Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in New Holstein. The former Gertrude Heus was born March 30, 1917 in Marytown to the late Paul & Dora (Lefeber) Heus. She attended St. Mary's Catholic Grade School in Marytown. On November 15, 1937, she married Alden Gross at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marytown. Alden preceded her in death on June 20, 2002. Gertrude's life as a typical farmer's wife entailed with all the chores on a farm such as milking, picking stones (all had to be picked no matter the size) etc…. Gertie also managed to find time to tend her vegetable garden each year. There were strawberry and raspberry patches (that she loved to move every few years), pickles were grown for several years for the local factory. Chickens were raised each year and butchered in the fall of the year to fill the freezer for the winter. She loved flowers, moss roses were her favorite. She also grew gladiolus, zinnias, and petunias. After Alden's retirement, they started delivering the Tempo; daddy was the driver and she was the paper box filler. Mom enjoyed the many hours spent playing sheepshead, bingo, attending auctions, playing games, getting her fingernails done by Rosie and her weekly hair appointments while living at Willow Park. Survivors include her five children, Marie Koeser of St. Anna, Dorothy Schreiber of New Holstein, Ruth Ann (Russell) Diedrich of Chilton, Eugene (Pat) Gross of St. Anna, and Barbara Anderson of Sheboygan; her grandchildren, Jim (Judy) Koeser, Jeff Koeser, Lori (Leon) Schneider, Scott Koeser, Michelle (Keith) Knatzke, Mike (Becky) Schreiber, Shari Schreiber, Brian (Sara) Diedrich, Chris (Cindy) Diedrich, Lisa (Tim) Gierke, Steve Gross, Jessica Gross, Jennifer Gross, and Greg (Jennifer) Van Elzen; 19 great-grandchildren; Norbert Schreiber of St. Cloud; and her sister-in-law, Lucy Heus of Chilton. Preceding her in death were her parents, Paul & Dora Heus; her husband, Alden Gross; a grandson, Steven "Peanut" Koeser; a granddaughter, Jennifer Diedrich; one great-grandchild, Nathan Koeser; two sons-in-law, Merlyn "Pinto" Koeser and Mike Anderson; her sister, Henrietta (Leo) Winkel; and three brothers, Edward Heus, Gilbert (Veronica) Heus, and Clifford (Dorothy) Heus; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry & Theresa Gross; and her sisters-in-law, Rosetta (Vern) Kasper and Arlene (Patrick) Romalia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 28, 2013, at St. Mary's Catholic Church N10232 County Road G New Holstein, WI 53061 "Marytown". Rev. Joseph Coerber will officiate. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Family and friends may call at the Sippel Funeral Home 2618 Altona Avenue in New Holstein on Friday, September 27th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and at St. Mary's Church Saturday morning from 9:30 AM until the time of services. A wake service will be held at the funeral home Friday evening at 7:45 PM. For additional information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home at (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net The family would like to thank the staff members at Willowdale Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Willow Park Residence for the care given to our mother over the past several years. Their concern and words of comfort were appreciated. A special thank you to Leora, Betty, Betty Lou, Mary Jane, and Vernon for the many sheepshead games mom enjoyed at Willow Park.