Marjorie Lou Cummings Gross (1927-2014)

CUMMINGS, ANDERSON, GROSS, RASSLER, SMITH, GILLESPIE, GIBSON, RAYMOND, MULDER

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Marjorie Lou Cummings Gross was born on January 14, 1927 on a farm northeast of Primghar, IA. She was the daughter of Clyde Cummings and Doris (Anderson) Cummings, the second of three children. At the age of two, she moved with her family to Sanborn, IA, and then at the age of four, moved to Paullina, IA where she attended school until May of 1941 when her father was transferred to Sheldon, IA. Marjorie moved back to Sanborn where she graduated from high school in 1944. She furthered her education at Mankato Business School and then worked at Schubert's Clothing Store in Sanborn as there was a shortage of boys who had gone to serve our country in the war.

On March 24, 1946, Marjorie married Maurice Gross in the Lutheran Church at Spencer, IA. They resided in Spencer until 1951 when they moved to southern California. Marjorie worked in a bank for 23 years, and data processing at a chemical company for 13 years. Marjorie and Maurice retired and moved back to Sanborn to be closer to family. Retirement gave them the time to do some traveling or gambling. They thoroughly enjoyed doing things together and, having no children, were very close to each other. After 51 enjoyable years together, Maurice passed away on June 15, 1997.

Marjorie continued living in Sanborn and found card playing to be a favorite pastime; one she shared with her dear friend, Jay Raymond, whom she'd known for over 65 years. He had gone to school with Maurice, and Marjorie had attended school with Jay's wife from 1943 until 1944 when they graduated. Jay and Marjorie became companions during the later years of their lives until his death in 2012.

Marjorie died on Friday, May 23, at Prairie View Home of Sanborn, Iowa at the age of 87 years, four months and nine days.

Left to cherish Marjorie's memory are Vicki Rassler; her sister-in-law, Judy Cummings; her niece, Kim (Steve) Smith of Peoria, IL and their daughters, McKenzie and Kaci; Carrie Gillespie of Hartley, IA; Amy Gibson of Washington state; and Jay Raymond's family: Ace and Pat Raymond of Elk River, MN; Rex and Debbie Raymond of Sanborn, IA; Todd Raymond of Sanborn, IA; Roccy and Diann Raymond of Birchwood, WI; Anne and Steve Jaycox of Waseca, MN.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Maurice Gross; brother, James Cummings; sister, Audrey (Cummings) Mulder, and special friend, Jay Raymond.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on. Saturday, June 7 at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church of Sanborn, Iowa with Rev. Thomas A. Connors officiating. Soloist Eric Rozeboom will be singing He Touched Me and the congregational hymns will be How Great Thou Art and The Old Rugged Cross with Cloe Starkenburg serving as pianist. Private inurnment of the cremains will be at Roseland Cemetery of Sanborn with the Sanborn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Sanborn (Iowa) Pioneer, 5 Jun 2014, p7