Wendell Albert Gross

Wendell Albert Gross, age 86, of La Grande, died Sunday, September 14, 2003 at his home, surrounded by his family.
At his request there will be no public services. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.


Mr. Gross was born on February 28, 1917, the son of Orville and Annabelle (Leep) Gross in Halfway, Oregon. He attended schools in Halfway and received his Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture and Education from Oregon State University. On June 3, 1939 he married Eileen May Kinney in Eugene, Oregon. During World War II he taught agriculture and metal shop at the high school level. He later worked with his father-in-law in real estate developing in the Eugene area. The family then owned the largest dairy farm in Eastern Oregon at Powell Butte until 1973. They then moved to Hermiston and in 2002 they moved to La Grande. They traveled to Yuma, Arizona for many winters.


Mr. Gross was a member of the First Christian Church. He has served in the past on the Crook County School Board and the Board of Realtors. He loved his family and had a love of learning his entire life. He loved animals and had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He also had hobbies of art, painting, singing, rock hounding and lapidary work.


Survivors include his wife, Eileen Gross of La Grande; children, Ronald and Betty Gross of La Grande, Jan & Dewey Mills of El Centro, California, Douglas Gross of Cheshire, Oregon, Frank "Sandy" and Lee Gross of Hermiston; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Opal Allen of Hermiston; sisters-in-law, Marge Gross of Halfway and
Agnes Gross of Bellevue, Washington; and other relatives and friends. Four brothers preceded him in death.

To view the unedited obituary, sign the guest book or leave a condolence visit: www.danielschapel.com