Deacon Patrick Gross served his country, the community and those in need

Deacon Patrick Gross of St. Mary Parish in Wayne had a lifelong passion for helping others, especially the elderly and the sick.

Throughout his life, Deacon Gross, who was ordained in 2004, served his church and his community in exceptional ways, according to his family. He died June 17 at Kinship Pointe in Wayne. He was 82.

A Mass of Christian Burial was to be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m., June 22, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Wayne. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

A native of Wisner, Deacon Gross was born to William and Mary (Surber) Gross on February 21, 1941, the tenth of 13 children. After graduating from Wisner High School in 1958, he served in the United States Marine Corps. After his discharge, he settled in Wayne, where he met and married Mary (Doyle) Gross. The couple had five children and five grandchildren. Deacon Gross worked for State Nebraska Bank and the Triangle Finance Company for forty years, retiring in 2004.

Deacon Gross was an active member of the Wayne community and belonged to several civic and community organizations. In 1994, he received the Wayne Citizen of the Year Award. He and his wife enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren and were proud of their academic and professional accomplishments.

Deacon Gross was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers William, Leo, Dominic, and Gerald, and sisters Rita and Catherine. He is survived by his daughters, Francine Gross of Alexandria, Virginia, Amy Gross of Manhattan, Kansas, and Mary Pat Gross of Lincoln; sons Daniel Gross (Kristi) of Lincoln and William Gross (Nicole) of Waverly; brothers Joseph Gross of Longmont, Colorado, Michael Gross of Denison, Iowa, Stephen Gross of Wayne and John Gross of Lincoln; sisters Elizabeth Jindra of Norfolk and Bridget McNiff of Cook; five grandchildren and other relatives.