Rita M. Gross (Rome, age 89, of Victoria, Kansas died Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at her home.
She was born on February 28, 1930, to Joseph M. and Albina (Kuhn) Rome. She married Donald F. Gross on May 1, 1954, in Victoria, Kansas. He preceded her in death on June 21, 1994.
Rita was employed at The Farmers National Bank in Victoria upon graduating from high school and continued there until the birth of her first child. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing clothes for her children and extended family. Her holiday crafts are now a treasure for her family. She was an avid reader in her leisure time. Rita valued her faith, family, and neighbor. In her later years, her rosary beads were always in her hands. She cherished her family and was so proud of their accomplishments. She made life-long friends of her many neighbors whom she was among the first to welcome to the neighborhood.
She was a volunteer at St. Fidelis Parish gathering updated information for the 3rd edition of “Die Herzoger” and was assistant editor of the parish cookbook, “Sharing Our Best”, which has sold thousands of copies and is still in demand. She was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis, St. Fidelis Christian Mother/Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella and a Victoria Alumni Association newsletter committee member. She was a 1947 Victoria High School graduate.
Survivors include her daughter, Janet Trombley and husband, Don, Newtown, PA; her son, Michael Gross and wife, Virginia, Lake Quivira, KS; a granddaughter, Lauren Smith and husband, Bryan, Littleton, CO; a grandson, Bret Gross and wife, Kelsey, Lenexa, KS; a grandson, Ryan Trombley, Chicago, IL; grandsons, Sam Gross, New York, NY; and Will Gross, Austin, TX; and two great-grandchildren, Gwen Gross and Perry Smith.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Robert; an infant daughter, Anne Marie; her parents; a sister, Mary Lou Rome; and two infant brothers.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 27, 2019, at The Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, Kansas with celebrant, Father John Schmeidler O.F.M. Cap. Burial will be in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Wednesday, all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria.
A parish vigil will be at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday, followed by a Daughters of Isabella and Christian Mothers/Altar Society rosary, all at the mortuary.
The family suggests memorials to The Basilica of St. Fidelis.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com