MARY LEE GROSS, our wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. She wanted to spend her final New Year’s Eve celebration in heaven, and God made her wish possible.
We were blessed by Mary Lee’s birth on November 15, 1932. She was born in Perryville, Missouri, to Alfred and Anita Wucher. Growing up, Mary Lee had an older sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Wucher Ohlau, who was not only her sister, but her best friend throughout her life. The Wucher family was a fun and loving family who always enjoyed a good polka and a game of Euchre. They would have large family gatherings, complete with the German family band, loads of laugher, food, dancing, jokes, and great memories. They taught us the life lesson of how we need to cherish and value our families.
Mary Lee attended grade school at Immanuel Lutheran School and then graduated from Perryville High School on May 16, 1950, at 18 years old. During her school years, Mary Lee was active in the Walther League at church. After she graduated, she started working at International Shoe Company in the billing office. Mary Lee loved bowling and was on the “Intersection Cafe” bowling team with her best friends Betty, Lorine, Barb, and Lillian. Mary Lee was active throughout her life, and she enjoyed playing tennis, croquet, swimming, fishing and of course playing cards and games. One of her favorite card games was Tripoli because she could, “win some money.”
In the early 1950’s she met the love of her life, Herman Edward Gross. They were married on June 2, 1956, at St. Boniface Church in Perryville, Missouri. Herman and Mary Lee eventually moved to Chester, Illinois, where they resided all their lives. Their marriage was built on the foundation of love, family, faith in God, and work. If Herman was working, Mary Lee was right by his side working. It did not make any difference to Herman if you were male or female. If you had two hands and could work, then he believed hard work never hurt anyone. Mary Lee and Herman built their home from the ground up. When Mary Lee was 7 months pregnant with Carolyn, she was up on the roof of the house hammering shingles. Herman’s mom drove up the driveway, saw Mary Lee on the roof, and yelled at her son, “What are you doing; she is pregnant; get her off that roof!”
Mary Lee and Herman had 3 children – Bill, Carolyn and, Jo Ann. We were fortunate that Mary Lee was a stay-at-home mom. She had a large garden and a fruit orchard and spent long hours canning food in the summer. She was involved with all of her kids and their sports. She never missed any of Bill’s football games, and she was the swim team mom who always had extra towels or snacks for anyone on the team. She spent countless hours volunteering for the schools. She was insistent that all of her kids could read music and play an instrument. She taught all of us to ice skate, play tennis, and made sure we learned to swim.
What Mary Lee was really best known for were her parties. Her door was always open to family and friends. Whether it was a holiday, birthday, after a football game, grandkids coming over, or just a pool party – she could throw a party! Her best were the 4 th of July parties. She would have over 40 people at her home, and it was a day filled with swimming, volley tennis, rocket launches, barbeque and fireworks, but she was never overwhelmed; she was in the mix having fun. She loved making every holiday special for her family and she made sure that she created family traditions.
Herman passed away June 3, 1986, and it broke her heart. He died the day after their 30th wedding anniversary. She said, “Once you have had the best there is no replacement.” She never remarried, but she persevered. She started traveling with her friends. She went to Europe, Hawaii and did tours across the United States. She enjoyed playing dominos and cards with several groups. The most prominent being, “The Card Club.” You did not mess with mom on this night, the house had to be spotless, and card club dessert was off-limits for the family.
Mary Lee was a great mother; she loved her family and she made time for all of us. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren. She was involved with all of them and made their events a priority. Her door was always open and she never let anyone leave hungry. Seeing her great-grand kids made her face light up. She loved to see them and had their photos displayed all around her home. All of us were truly blessed to have her in our lives.
Mary Lee is survived by her three children, Bill (Melissa) Gross, Carolyn (Steve) Venable, Jo Ann (Matthew) Harrison, six Grandchildren, Meredith (Bobby) Klausing, Morgan (Cody) Bendorf, Chase (Kelly) Venable, Casey (Adele) Venable, Nathan Harrison and Ryan Harrison and five Great Grandchildren, Parker Klausing, Anna and Mia Bendorf, Carter and Wyatt Venable. Preceding her in death are her parents, spouse and sister.
Funeral Service:
11:00 am, Saturday, January 11, 2025
St. John Lutheran Church, Chester, Illinois
Officiating:
Rev. Timothy Sims
Interment:
St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery
Chester, Illinois
Visitation:
Saturday – 9:00 am – 11:00 am
St. John Lutheran Church, Chester, Illinois
Memorials:
St. John’s New School Fund