Obituary of Mildred Ruth Gross

Mildred Ruth Mansell Gross, September 8, 1941 – October 27, 2016 Survived and deeply mourned by her husband of 58 years, Elmer Gross; her children: son Eron Gross (Lena) White City, Sk, and his daughters Dionne and Kira; son Kenneth Gross (Lynn Heaven) Clive, AB and her daughters Lisa and Leanne; daughter Sylvia Gross, Stettler, AB; daughter Lana Gross, Stettler, AB; and daughter Faye Gendre, Stettler, AB and her daughters Kimberly and Nicole (Karson Coleman); and the pride of her last year, great granddaughter, Kajsa. She is mourned by her siblings brother Stan Mansell (Janice) Red Deer, AB and their children, son Evan Mansell, daughters Sheila Webster, Eileen MacGregor, and Wendy Mansell; sister Alice Mansell (Arthur Meads) Vancouver, BC and their daughters Tara Friedenberg and Lauren Meads; brother Robert Mansell (Tina) Calgary, AB, and their sons Justin and Trevor; sister Jean Knight (Travis Cofield), Nanaimo, BC and their daughters Rachel and Leslee Munro, and brother Ernest Mansell, Ponoka, AB. Ruth was predeceased by her father, 1967; her mother, 1983; and her brother Daniel Mansell in 1968. Ruth was a force of nature her whole life. Her passion and enthusiasm for life and learning that embraced her family, the farm, her community and creativity was legendary. After she and Elmer married in 1958, she embarked on her role as mother to five children and hardworking farmer. She was renowned for becoming an expert with horses, cattle, pets and farming; a prize winning baker of wonderful breads and other delicious concoctions; a masterful creator of complex and meticulous crocheted wonders; and for welcoming her children’s friends as if they were part of the family. Her generosity and enthusiasm for a wide range of activities and people evoked admiration from all who knew her. Her last years were marred by increasing poor health, but she maintained her good spirits till the end. She wished not to be remembered by flowers but for donations to Heart Haven Lodge, where her dearest friend Lucille worked for years.