Rev. Stephen F. Gross

The Rev. Stephen F. Gross Rev. Stephen F. Gross, 65, Wausau, died Friday, March 10, 2006, as the result of an automobile accident. He was born September 8, 1940, in Stevens Point, son of Gretchen (Slightam) Gross, Stevens Point, and the late Francis A. Gross. He attended St. Joseph Grade School in Stevens Point, Holy Cross Seminary High School and College in LaCrosse, and the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He was ordained on May 28, 1966, at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in LaCrosse , by the Most Reverend Frederick W. Freking. Father Gross's first assignment was as Assistant Pastor at St. James Parish in Wausau. In 1968, he was appointed as Assistant Pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Black River Falls. On September 2, 1969, he was appointed as Assistant Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in LaCrosse. In 1971, he was appointed as Associate Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in Onalaska and as an Instructor at Aquinas High School. On June 6, 1973, Father Gross was appointed as Associate Pastor at St. Anne Parish, Wausau, in team ministry with Monsignor James P. Finucan and Father Thomas Abraham. The following year, he returned to Saint Patrick in Onalaska and Aquinas High School in LaCrosse. On June 15, 1975, he was assigned as Chaplain at Saint Michael Home in LaCrosse, while continuing as an Instructor at Aquinas High School. In 1977, he was appointed Chaplain at St. Joseph Home, Bethany-Saint Joseph Home and Bethany Lutheran Home, all in LaCrosse. On October 15, 1977, he was assigned as Administrator of Saint Joseph Parish at Saint Joseph Ridge and as Chaplain of Saint Joseph Home in LaCrosse. In 1978, Father Gross became Pastor of St. Anthony de Padua at Athens. In 1980, he was also assigned as an Instructor at Newman High School in Wausau. From July of 1984 until September of 1988 and from 1993 until June of 1994, he also served as Pastor of Holy Family Parish at Poniatowski, while continuing to serve at Athens. On June 28, 1994, he was appointed as Pastor of Saint James Parish at Wausau. On June 23, 1996, he was also assigned as Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish at Wausau. On June 1, 1998, he was appointed as Pastor of the newly-established Parish of the Resurrection at Wausau, where he served until his death. He was an avid reader and enjoyed golfing, watching the Brewers with his nephews and was a Dodgers fan. Among his favorite things to do was to take an occasional trip to Madison to watch the UW Band perform and attending the Athens Fair and the Wisconsin State Fair. He was a member of the Elks Lodge No. 248, Wausau. Survivors include his mother, Gretchen Gross, Stevens Point, two sisters, Margaret (Thomas J.) Jablonski, Wausau, Elizabeth A. "Betsy" Gross, Phoenix, one brother, Mark J.(Nancy) Gross, Stevens Point, nieces, nephews, several aunts and cousins. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Thursday, March 16, 2006, at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Wausau. The Most Rev. Jerome Listecki D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of LaCrosse, will preside along with the priests of the diocese. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Stevens Point. Friends may call from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, and again Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of services, all at Holy Name Church. There will be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church. An Elk's Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in the name of Father Gross and may be directed to the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 621 N. Second Street, Wausau, Wisconsin 54403. The love, passion and drive of Father Gross' life centered around the parish family at The Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ where he was the pastor. Due to the many lives he touched and the anticipated number of people that will attend, all services for Father Gross will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Parish. Requiescat in Pace!