Loving Husband, Dad, Grandfather, Granddad, Bumpa

Age 83 of Stillwater. Gerald passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Boulder Ponds Senior Living Memory Care in Lake Elmo. He was born on September 19, 1941, in West Saint Paul, the son of Raymond and Edna (Haapala) Gross.

Gerald grew up on a farm in Lake Elmo, MN. He was heavily involved in 4-H and FFA. He excelled at school; graduating with an undergraduate degree from Hamline University and graduating from the University of Minnesota – Law School. He retired from West Publishing, where he spent the majority of his career.

During their early years of marriage, Gerald served in the Army Reserves.

He and Louise raised their children in Inver Grove Heights, MN. He was a longtime member of Faith United Methodist Church. He was an avid reader and enjoyed playing bridge, tennis, and pitching softball. He was a farmer at heart and planted an apple orchard on his hobby farm in Houston County, MN in addition to growing many vegetables. He started a bridge group in Spring Grove, MN and played in bridge groups at their winter home in Summerlin, NV.

Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Louise (Witte) Gross; children, Theresa Leffler, Chris Gross, Beth (Todd) Kockelman, and Meredith Badenoch; grandchildren, Matthew, Derrick, Nicholas, Melody, Maxwell, Carl, Karissa, Michael, Kaitlyn, Bretton (Annie), Aidan, and Ashlynn; brother Ronald (Judith) Gross; many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

AFuneral Service for Gerald will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church, 6201 Osgood Ave. N., Stillwater, MN 55082. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 pm on Monday, October 28, 2024, at Simonet Funeral Home, 6429 Osgood Ave. N., Stillwater, MN 55082 and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Private Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gerald’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.