Kenneth "Ken" Philip Gross

Kenneth "Ken" Philip Gross, age 74, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at his home in Quimby.   Ken, the son of Philip and Erma (Petty) Gross, was born May 7, 1949 in Onawa, Iowa.  His family moved to Sioux City where he received his education.  Ken lived and worked in California, Arizona and various other states, eventually returning to his home state of Iowa.    He became an educator at Western Iowa Tech Community College and that is where he met the love of his life, Anna.  After chasing her for more than six years, his powers of persuasion eventually paid off.  They were married on October 8, 2016 in New Mexico.  They owned and operated their own trucking business hauling for Clark Transfer, Harrisburg, PA.   They delivered for major Broadway musicals where they formed a strong bond with the cast and crew, who became their extended family.   Their travels took them to all 50 states and even Canada.   In late 2020, they settled in Quimby.

Ken enjoyed working on his old Jeep, cleaning his garage and riding his Harley.  He also liked all sorts of puzzles and spending time with his beloved dog, Willy.  Ken was a foodie.  His favorites were Chinese and Mexican cuisine, but his absolute favorite was homemade beef and noodles. He also enjoyed watching reality shows about nature and harsh survival conditions.  Most of all, he loved the time spent with his family and friends.

Those left to forever cherish his memory are his wife, Anna, his children, Brian (Dawn) Gross, Lee (Connie) Gross, Missy (Brian) Mendez and and stepchildren Connie Windeshausen, and Jeremy (Casey) Oleson, his siblings Gary (Sylvia) Golden, Mona Tremmal and Rhonda (Gary) Shatto,  Angelina (Henry) Montoya, Mary Oleson, Regan (Tim) Tapper,  Christine (Brad) Petersen several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends, and his beloved dog Willie.   He was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Erma, his in-laws Herbert and Theresa Payne, his brother Cleo, his thunder buddy Anthony, and his beloved dog Max.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at the First Church of Christ, 772 North 2nd Street, Cherokee, IA. Pastor David Hall will officiate. Visitation with family present will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Ken’s name.

The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, IA is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.