Nicholas Joseph Gross
June 17, 1964 — January 23, 2019
Nicholas Joseph Gross
June 17, 1964 - Harlan, Iowa
January 23, 2019 - Glenwood, Iowa
Nick was the thirteenth and last child of Aquinata and Emil Gross. Nick was born with Down’s Syndrome. He attended Concerned, Inc. in Harlan, Iowa from the mid 1970's until 1992. During this time, he was cared for at home by his siblings and his parents. After the younger siblings were gone from the home and Emil and Nottie grew older, Nick entered Park Place, a residential facility in Glenwood, Iowa. He resided in Park Place from 1992 until 2015 and then spent the remaining years in his life at the Resource Center in Glenwood.
Throughout his life, Nick pursued activities with wholehearted delight. He seized any opportunity to have someone take him for rides in a motor vehicle. Nick Loved music and expressed this affinity with his whole body. He enjoyed playing along on the piano at home while Emil played. As an older adult, he liked listening to songs while living at Park Place. Nick’s favorite toy was a tennis ball which he deftly tossed hand to hand. He also spent many hours rolling balls back and froth down the hallway at home with his nieces and nephews.
Nick’s father, Emil, affectionately referred to him as “Snapper”. Nick had a sly and infectious grin that was on full display after doing something he knew he shouldn’t have done.
His family survivors include mother Aquinata Gross and his siblings June (Tony) Prom of Harvey, North Dakota; Jerry (Sue) Gross of Westphalia, Iowa; Ken Gross of West Des Moines, Iowa; Therese (Steven) Becker of Storm Lake, Iowa; Ed (Leslie) Gross of St. Paul, Minnesota; Paul Gross of Atlantic, Iowa; Rose Wignall of Creston, Iowa; Norm (Diane) Gross of Spring Valley, Minnesota. Nick was preceded in death by his father, Emil, sister, Patricia, nephew Kevin and niece Laura. Nick leaves behind 18 nieces and 19 nephews.
Nick was loved by many people and they’re grateful for having known him. Nick taught that joy could be found simply in being with someone. He brought unity to his family and expanded their minds about what it means to live.
Nick’s family wish to extend their gratitude to the numerous people who cared for him over the course of his life. Your caring and nurturing was instrumental in allowing Nick to have the best quality of life.
The family request that memorial funds be directed to Easterseals Iowa.
June 17, 1964 - Harlan, Iowa
January 23, 2019 - Glenwood, Iowa
Nick was the thirteenth and last child of Aquinata and Emil Gross. Nick was born with Down’s Syndrome. He attended Concerned, Inc. in Harlan, Iowa from the mid 1970's until 1992. During this time, he was cared for at home by his siblings and his parents. After the younger siblings were gone from the home and Emil and Nottie grew older, Nick entered Park Place, a residential facility in Glenwood, Iowa. He resided in Park Place from 1992 until 2015 and then spent the remaining years in his life at the Resource Center in Glenwood.
Throughout his life, Nick pursued activities with wholehearted delight. He seized any opportunity to have someone take him for rides in a motor vehicle. Nick Loved music and expressed this affinity with his whole body. He enjoyed playing along on the piano at home while Emil played. As an older adult, he liked listening to songs while living at Park Place. Nick’s favorite toy was a tennis ball which he deftly tossed hand to hand. He also spent many hours rolling balls back and froth down the hallway at home with his nieces and nephews.
Nick’s father, Emil, affectionately referred to him as “Snapper”. Nick had a sly and infectious grin that was on full display after doing something he knew he shouldn’t have done.
His family survivors include mother Aquinata Gross and his siblings June (Tony) Prom of Harvey, North Dakota; Jerry (Sue) Gross of Westphalia, Iowa; Ken Gross of West Des Moines, Iowa; Therese (Steven) Becker of Storm Lake, Iowa; Ed (Leslie) Gross of St. Paul, Minnesota; Paul Gross of Atlantic, Iowa; Rose Wignall of Creston, Iowa; Norm (Diane) Gross of Spring Valley, Minnesota. Nick was preceded in death by his father, Emil, sister, Patricia, nephew Kevin and niece Laura. Nick leaves behind 18 nieces and 19 nephews.
Nick was loved by many people and they’re grateful for having known him. Nick taught that joy could be found simply in being with someone. He brought unity to his family and expanded their minds about what it means to live.
Nick’s family wish to extend their gratitude to the numerous people who cared for him over the course of his life. Your caring and nurturing was instrumental in allowing Nick to have the best quality of life.
The family request that memorial funds be directed to Easterseals Iowa.
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