Bernard "Ben" Gross

Bernard "Ben" Gross, 95, a longtime resident of Hillman, died Saturday March 29th at home surrounded by his loving family. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, April 11th at 11:00 am at Holy Family Catholic Church, Bull Dog Lake, with Father Elias Gieske officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the Mass from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, and internment will follow the Mass at the Holy Family Catholic Church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Morrison County Chaplain Gregg Valentine at 16214 13th St. NW, Little Falls, MN 56345-5215.

Bernard Gross was born on August 17, 1929, to the late Theodore and Matilda (Kapsner) Gross on the family farm in Richardson Township, Minnesota. He took his first and last breaths on this same plot of land he held so dear. Ben’s parents were founding members of Holy Family Catholic Church and helped build it in the 1920s. He grew up and attended school in Richardson Township through the 8th grade. When he wasn’t helping on the farm, he went west to work on the Garrison Dam project, did custom harvesting in North Dakota, and logged in Minneapolis. He was a great carpenter and could design and build almost anything. Ben purchased the family farm just before he was united in marriage to Virginia "Ginny" Schlegel on June 9, 1951, in Staples, MN, and they were inseparable ever after for over 73 years.

Ben’s pride and joy was his beloved wife, and their 13 children, 56 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father and grandpa; stern but gentle, quiet but heard, hardworking and humble. He listened, shared his wisdom, loved deeply, and provided the family unity, strength, and security. To know Ben was to know grace. He was a man of few words, wise beyond his years with a unique sense of humor when least expected. A strong handshake and piercing blue eyes. Ben led by example with faith, integrity, respect, honesty, and an exemplary work ethic. These qualities were instilled in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for generations to come. Ben took great pride in his farm and continuously improved his dairy herd, his crop yields, and his ongoing upgrades to the farmhouse and outbuildings. He designed and built a new barn in 1972, added a modern milking system, upgraded the International tractors and machinery, and purchased the must-have Harvesters. He enjoyed fieldwork, gardening and processing the abundant yields. Ben and Ginny enjoyed watching baseball and rarely missed watching the World Series together. He treasured playing in various softball leagues with his boys and later sitting on a bench, with Ginny by his side, watching his sons and grandsons play at the Club of the Pines in Hillman, where they were charter members (Go Porky Pines). Ben was a pillar in the farming community and was actively involved in the Holy Family Church. He was also a member of the Club of the Pines in Hillman, active with the Pierz Coop, and served on the Board of Directors of the Associated Milk Producers.

Ben and Ginny shared an incredible love story unfolding as only a true love story can: hard work, faith, tears, laughter, despair, reconciliation, and grace. Always grace. Rinse, wash, repeat. They were true soulmates: working together, dancing together, playing cards together, praying rosary together, bird watching together, and dying together holding each other's hands tightly through it all. Theirs was truly a bond made beyond this earth. Ginny left us only 17 days before Ben decided it was his time to follow. When she was passing, he held her hand and gently said, “Don’t worry, Ginny, I’ll be right behind you”, and he kept his promise.

Left to cherish Ben’s memories are his children, Diane (Dan) Seekamp of Blaine, Gail (Scott Graham) Porter of St. Augustine, FL, Mark (Jeannie Krantz) Gross of Flagstaff, AZ, Jane (Art) Stumpf of Lastrup, Mona (Craig) Valenty of Andover, Ted (Nadine Boser) Gross of Rutland, ND, Steven (Gwen Kahlhamer) Gross of Harding, Jerry Gross of Little Falls, Joel (Nicole Stephens) Gross of Hillman, Richard (Jodi Heidelberger) Gross of Columbia Heights, Lonny (Kate Lynch) Gross of Medina, and Tessa (Jason) Elstran of Pierz; sister, Dolores (Bill) Rauch of Minneapolis; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many loved relatives and friends.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents; Theodore and Matilda Gross; his beloved wife, Ginny Gross on March 12, 2025; son, Glen Gross, grandson, Michael Dehnel, granddaughter, Jenna Gross; sons-in-law, Craig Valenty and Dan Seekamp; siblings, Martha (Al) Holley, Eva (Joe) Tembreull; George Gross; Cecelia (Alvin) Miers, Agnes (Peter) Schommer, Marie (Theodore) Block, Hilda (Cornelius) VanRavenhorst, Irene (Walter) Schlegel and infant twin brothers, Stephen and August Gross.

Nothing will be the same without you.

You are forever held in our Hearts and Memories.

Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of Ben.