Peter Gross
March 20, 1960 — February 18, 2024
Peter Joseph Gross
Peter Joseph Gross was born March 20, 1960 in Harlan, Iowa to Alfons and Maxine (Mahlberg) Gross. He grew up on what once was the family farm northwest of Earling, Iowa. This is where he developed his passions for John Deere items and a fondness for 8N Ford tractors. Pete attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Earling, Iowa through the end of 7th grade. Then he began his 8th grade year in the Dow City-Arion school system.
Pete graduated from high school in 1979 and then found employment in Defiance, Denison and Harlan. He also assisted his dad, Alfons, with the care and maintenance of Manteno Park. His favorite “job” was helping Dan and Brian Grote with farm and business errands and caring for their maltese and shizhu puppies.
Some of the activities Pete enjoyed were tractor pulls, auctions, car races, county fairs, and watching movies. Petey Joe enjoyed collecting John Deere items, watching anything with John Wayne, and cheering on his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes Football team. “Stud Muffin” enjoyed being on the go. Whether taking trips with the Grote boys or going somewhere with his friends or family, Pete was always ready for a good time. He had fond memories of attending the Clay County fair with friends and family trips to South Dakota, Colorado, and California.
Pete’s greatest love was given to his three nieces. He wants to be remembered for being a good uncle to them. Uncle Pete attended countless preschool programs, soccer and basketball games, volleyball matches, music performances, and dance recitals. All three girls could work their charm on Uncle Pete who was helpless to deny them anything.
Some of Pete’s fondest memories were of Gross and Mahlberg gatherings, going coon hunting with Uncle Bud, and spending holidays with his family. Pete had an artistic nature and produced paintings, ceramics, wooden end tables, and latch hook projects. He also had a knack for growing watermelons and making barbeque ribs.
Pete was a life long parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa and was a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus member. For many years Earling was his home, and he loved the house he lived in. Pete had a kindness and humor which attracted people to him. Pete always had a friend wherever he went.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Alfons and Maxine Gross.
Pete died on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at the age of 63 after living with health issues for several years. Those left to love and remember him are his little sister, Susie Russell and her husband Bill of Denison, Iowa.; his three nieces, Megan, Ben, Delaney, and Wren Claypool of Waterloo, Iowa, Katie (Spenser) Meadows of Waterloo, Iowa, and Sarah Russell of Waterloo, Iowa. Pete had many other relatives, friends, neighbors whose lives were touched by his goodness and love. He will truly be missed.
Peter Joseph Gross was born March 20, 1960 in Harlan, Iowa to Alfons and Maxine (Mahlberg) Gross. He grew up on what once was the family farm northwest of Earling, Iowa. This is where he developed his passions for John Deere items and a fondness for 8N Ford tractors. Pete attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Earling, Iowa through the end of 7th grade. Then he began his 8th grade year in the Dow City-Arion school system.
Pete graduated from high school in 1979 and then found employment in Defiance, Denison and Harlan. He also assisted his dad, Alfons, with the care and maintenance of Manteno Park. His favorite “job” was helping Dan and Brian Grote with farm and business errands and caring for their maltese and shizhu puppies.
Some of the activities Pete enjoyed were tractor pulls, auctions, car races, county fairs, and watching movies. Petey Joe enjoyed collecting John Deere items, watching anything with John Wayne, and cheering on his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes Football team. “Stud Muffin” enjoyed being on the go. Whether taking trips with the Grote boys or going somewhere with his friends or family, Pete was always ready for a good time. He had fond memories of attending the Clay County fair with friends and family trips to South Dakota, Colorado, and California.
Pete’s greatest love was given to his three nieces. He wants to be remembered for being a good uncle to them. Uncle Pete attended countless preschool programs, soccer and basketball games, volleyball matches, music performances, and dance recitals. All three girls could work their charm on Uncle Pete who was helpless to deny them anything.
Some of Pete’s fondest memories were of Gross and Mahlberg gatherings, going coon hunting with Uncle Bud, and spending holidays with his family. Pete had an artistic nature and produced paintings, ceramics, wooden end tables, and latch hook projects. He also had a knack for growing watermelons and making barbeque ribs.
Pete was a life long parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa and was a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus member. For many years Earling was his home, and he loved the house he lived in. Pete had a kindness and humor which attracted people to him. Pete always had a friend wherever he went.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Alfons and Maxine Gross.
Pete died on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at the age of 63 after living with health issues for several years. Those left to love and remember him are his little sister, Susie Russell and her husband Bill of Denison, Iowa.; his three nieces, Megan, Ben, Delaney, and Wren Claypool of Waterloo, Iowa, Katie (Spenser) Meadows of Waterloo, Iowa, and Sarah Russell of Waterloo, Iowa. Pete had many other relatives, friends, neighbors whose lives were touched by his goodness and love. He will truly be missed.
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