Harold Gross

Harold Joseph 'DUTCH' Gross was born August 14, 1921 in Greenville, Iowa to John and Katherine (Berberich) Gross. His childhood was spent on his parent's farm near Greenville. He attended primary and High School in Gillette Grove where he graduated in 1939. Harold was an outstanding athlete and great baseball pitcher. His battery mate was his brother Raymond. After High School, he attended Buena Vista College with the intention of playing college baseball and becoming a coach. He had a lifelong love of the New York Yankees. This was solidified when the Yankees sent a scout to Storm Lake to watch him pitch. However, the bombing of Pearl Harbor cut short his college career as he was needed to help on the family farm when his brother was called to the Pacific theater to fight. He stayed active in baseball during and after the war years playing for the noted 'Rossie Town Team' He met Louise Annette Wilson of Curlew, Iowa and they married October 6, 1947 in Royal, Iowa. He began successfully farming on his own north of Royal. Harold and Louise raised sons, David, John and Steve and daughter Mary Ellen. He was never happier than when he was working the land. His first planting and harvesting was done with horses, his last by satellite-guided tractors. He officially 'retired' in 1987 but he and son John continued to farm together daily in a real partnership for nearly 40 years. At the age of 95 he was still driving a tractor tilling the soil. Harold and Louise enjoyed traveling and visiting their family. He particularly enjoyed his grandchildren and was proud of their accomplishments. He remained devoted to Louise throughout their marriage and has visited with her nearly every day of the 7 years she has been in a nursing home. He is survived by Louise, his wife of 69 years, son David and his wife, Barbara of Arlington, Virginia, daughter Mary and her husband Stan Korthas of Brunsville, Iowa, son John and his wife, Emily Gross of Royal, Iowa, son Steven and his wife Valentina of Brooklyn, New York and grandchildren Joshua Gross, Katie Wehmann, Matt Korthas, Ben Korthas, Ana Gross, Lily Gross and Joseph Gross. Also surviving are his sister Colleen Chambers and brother-in-law Knox Campbell. Harold is preceded in death by his parents, John and Katherine (Berberich) Gross, his father and mother-in-law, Carl and Clara (Pedersen) Wilson, sister Lillian Gross, brother Raymond Gross, brothers-in-law Leonard Wilson, Louis Thiesen and William Chambers, sisters-in-law Beulah (Pat) Gross and June Campbell. In Lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial in Harold's name.

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