Wesley Gross

Fessenden

Wesley Calvin Gross, 89, a long-time Fessenden, ND resident, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey, ND. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Fessenden. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, December 11, 2023 at the First Lutheran Church in Fessenden with Pastor Dale Peaslee officiating. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held at Hillside Cemetery in Fessenden. Arrangements with the Nelson Funeral Home of Fessenden.

Wesley was born June 2, 1934, near Manfred, ND, to Adolf and Christine (Rudel) Gross. He grew up in the area, graduating from Fessenden High School in 1954. Wesley served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1959, and then returned to Fessenden. He worked for the Wells Country Free Press, Reiner’s Oil, the city of Fessenden, and as a janitor at Fessenden Public Schools for about 20 years. One of his great joys was interacting and joking with the students there.

Wesley was united in marriage to Evelyn Schmidt on January 1, 1965. He served on the Fessenden School Board before working at the school. Wesley was a long-time board member and Sunday school superintendent at the Fessenden Church of the Nazarene. His Christian faith was a central part of his life.

Wesley enjoyed attending school sporting events, collecting pens and coins, and gardening with his family. He and his wife, Evelyn Gross, served as foster parents for about 30 years, opening their home to more than a dozen children, several with developmental disabilities.

Wesley is survived by a son, Grant Gross, daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Lisa) Cobb, and grandson, Noah Gross, all of Laurel, Maryland; a daughter, Twila Gross and partner Antwone White, of Crystal, Minnesota, several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Gross, long-time foster son Freddie Entze, his parents, brothers Donald and Kenneth, and sisters Edna Krueger, LaVerne Arndt, Esther Danielson, and Margaret Kuske.

Arrangements are pending with the Nelson Funeral Home of Fessenden, ND. Online condolences may be left at www.nelsonfuneralhomesnd.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News December 8, 2023.