Mabel Gross

Mabel Catherine Gross, 97, of Aurora, WI, died Wed. March 7, 2012 at Home Bridge Center in Belvidere, IL. She was born on Nov. 15, 1914 in Iron Mountain, the daughter of the late John and Anna Olson. Mabel was an independent woman. She started driving at age 9. As a teenager she ran a dairy out of her parents Aurora home, delivered milk and hired friends to help. In her 20's, she met John Gross (her husband to be) on a blind date arranged by Alf Wahlstrom. They married in Washington, D.C., on October 17, 1940, and moved around the East Coast and Mid-West. Their first child (Vera) was born in Washington, D.C., in 1942. Their second child (Jon) was born in High Point, NC, in 1944. Their third child (Warren) was born in Kansas City, MO, in 1950. Mabel and John traveled and camped extensively. They visited all 50 states, with many times to Alaska (her favorite state to visit). The couple traveled to Italy, and other European countries. Mom and Dad hiked the Grand Canyon, Isle Royal, and Big Bend, to name a few. When the children were young, Mabel and John camped with them through Yellow Stone, the Bad Lands, Mount Rushmore, Copper Harbor, Michigan, and many others areas. Despite living and traveling to many different places, both Mabel and John felt that Aurora and Iron Mountain were HOME. They always traveled home every year, to be with family and friends, and planned to retire there after completing renovations to Mabel's childhood home. Mabel and John were living in St. Louis, MO, when John passed away in 1973. She completed the renovation project that they had started on her Olson family home in Aurora and moved back there in 1974. After returning to her home in Aurora, Mabel enjoyed sleigh rides from her cousin, Clarence Osterberg, snowmobiling with area friends and relatives, the ladies' moped outing, and helping out with Church and Senior Citizens center events. Mom enjoyed keeping connected with the extended family, visits to and from her extended family , friends, kids, grandkids, great grand kids, nieces, and nephews; even one dog. In her spare time, she enjoyed her hobbies that included knitting, crocheting, bird watching, and driving anywhere. Mabel is survived by one daughter Vera Ann (Burton) Sandberg, two sons Warren John (Kathleen Jo) Gross, and Jon Leroy (Charlene Cecelia) Gross, six grandchildren Scott Alan Sandberg, Tracee Ann Sandberg, Jeffrey Warren Gross, Andrea Leigh (John David) Hendrix, Jon Eric (Jennifer Lyn) Gross, and Christopher Jon (Laura Diane) Gross, ten great grandchildren Ashley Lynn Sandberg, Brittni Leigh Hunter, Amanda Lynn Hunter, Connor Alexander Gross, Jackson Mercer Hendrix, Anneli K Hendrix, Katrina Elizabeth Gross, Annika Stefanie Gross, Kirsten Nicole Gross, and Ethan Christopher Gross, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four brothers Oscar "Bill" (Audrey) Olson, Carl Olson, Theodore (Babe) Olson, and Joseph "Bud" (Lavana) Johnson/Olson, two sisters Esther (Norman) Rudstrom, and Ruth (Albert) Engstrom and two sisters-in-law Wilda (Alf) Wahlstrom and Wanda (Irving) Olsen. Visitation will be Sat. from 10am-12noon at the Kingsford Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 12 noon at the funeral home. Rev. Karl Utzat will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Aurora Rescue Squad. Condolences to the family of Mabel Gross can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Kingsford Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Mabel Gross

March 7, 1915 - March 7, 2012