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1) Printed in the October 12, 2010 Pilot Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

Francis T. Gross, 91, of Blair, died Oct. 8, 2010, in Blair.

Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 11, at First United Methodist Church. Interment was at the Blair Cemetery.

Francis Thomas Gross was born Aug. 5, 1919, in Jackson to Edward Gross and Myrtle Wood.

He graduated from Beresford High School in 1937 and, on Aug. 4, 1942, he married Dorothy Ann Flick in Hartington.

During World War II, the couple moved to Evansville, Ind., and Bremerton, Wash., where Mr. Gross worked as a welder for the Navy, first building LSTs (landing ship tanks) and later repairing battle-damaged ships.

In 1946, they returned to Beresford, S.D., and, in 1965, the moved to Blair. Mr. Gross worked for William Brothers Pipeline for 37 years. He retired in 1983, with "A time for doing all the things he wanted to do" engraved on his retirement plaque.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and working on his stamp collection and loved watching his grandchildren. He took pride in his huge backyard garden and shared his tomatoes with many people. He was known as "the tomato man."

Those driving by his house might see him relaxing in his lawn chair under the walnut tree, watching his garden grow.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Gene and Vicki Gross of Ames, Iowa, Tim and Deb Gross, and Steve Gross, all of Blair; four grandchildren, Eric Gross and wife, Heather, Jeff Gross and wife, Heather, Emily and Abby Gross; and four great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Nemitz of Willmar, Minn.; brother and sister-in-law, Pat and Pam Gross of Jefferson, S.D.; and sister-in-law, Ruth Adams of Walnut Creek, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; infant son, Thomas; infant daughter, Mary; and sisters, Irene Killbride, Myrtle Peterson; and brother, Edward Gross.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

2) Printed in the Oct. 10, 2010 Omaha World-Herald, Omaha, Nebraska

Gross, Frank T., Age 91

Blair, NE. He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Gene and Vicki Gross, Ames, IA, Tim and Deb Gross; his son, Steve Gross, all of Blair; 4 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; borther, Pat and Pam Gross, Jefferson, SD; sister, Mary Nemitz, Wilmar, MN.

Services 10am Monday, October 11, at First United Methodist Church in Blair. Visitation begins at Noon on Sunday, October 10, at Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair, with the family receiving friends 6-8 pm.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home, Blair, NE 402-426-2191

~~obituariescourtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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