Marcella A. Gross, better known as Dolly, age 95, of Turtle Lake, WI died on Monday, December 3, 2018 at her home. She was born to Nicholas Backes and Frances (Molls) Backes on April 28, 1923 in Eau Claire. Her parents soon moved to a farm in the Clayton, WI, area where she grew up. 

Dolly attended the rural Sunny Slope Grade School, graduated from Clayton High School in 1940, and studied Home Economics at Stout University in Menominee, WI. She then worked as a telephone operator in the Clayton telephone office and helped her two brothers, Bernard and Raymond, on their grandparents' farm until 1946. 

Dolly married Harold Joseph Gross at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Turtle Lake, WI, on June 18, 1946. She helped with chores on their dairy farm in Polk County, WI, gardened, raised 6 children, taught Catechism at St. Ann’s Catholic Church for 15 years, was manager of the St. Ann’s church office for 14 years, served as the Beaver township treasurer for several years, was a member of the North Range (Extension) Homemakers and served the Polk County Homemakers in several capacities. 

Dolly’s hobbies were playing cards, genealogy and record keeping, sewing, crocheting, bowling, and cake-decorating. She and Harold travelled to many of the U.S states, Canada, Switzerland, Austria, Gremany, Liechtenstien, Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. 

Dolly is survived by 4 daughters: Diana Reed, Deloris Gross, Doreen (John K.) John, and Dorothy Gross; 1 son, Daniel (Jean) Gross; 1 brother, Richard; 1 sisters, Sarah Rudeen; 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grand-children, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, who passed away on October 10, 2005, and by her youngest son, Darrel Gross on August 6, 2008.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Turtle Lake at 10:30 AM with Father Tom Thompson officiating. Burial will be in St. Ann Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers are her grandsons and nephews. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at church. Honorary pallbearers will be Dolly's grandsons and nephews.

Skinner Funeral Home of Turtle Lake is serving the family.

Last Update: Dec 07, 2018 8:53 am CST