Raymond Elvin Peter Gross

Raymond Gross, age 79, Clark, died in the Prairie Lakes Hospital at Watertown on Friday evening, March 13, 2009. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 11AM in the Crocker Lutheran Church at Crocker with Minister Marion Grimes officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the American Legion Baker Post #209, Raymond, SD, will be in the Prairie Hill Cemetery at Bradley. Honorary Casketbearers will be family members and the active casketbearers will be his nephews. Music will be proved by Marvine Obermeier as organist, Wendy Christman will be the soloist singing "Amazing Grace", David & Carol Finstad will sing, "Old Rugged Cross" and "Daddy's Hands" and the congregation will sing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-6 PM at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark and 1 hour preceding services at the Church on Wednesday morning. He was born Raymond Elvin Peter Gross on April 2, 1929 on a farm north of Clark, the son of William J. and Tomina (Holmes) Gross. He attended school until the eighth grade at the Woodland Township country school. Following his schooling he worked on the family farm and also helped other farmers in the area. He served in the Korean War from November of 1951 until November of 1953, being honorably discharged as a corporal. In 2005, he received the Korean War Service Medal. On February 3, 1957 he was united in marriage to Lillian Regnier at the Crocker Lutheran Church. After their marriage, they lived north of Crocker for 3 years. In 1960 they moved to a farm 14 miles north of Raymond where he farmed and sheared sheep. In 1997, he retired from farming and moved to a place 11/2 miles west of Clark. Ray loved the outdoors, spending many hours trapping muskrats, hunting coon with his dog, Mike, calling fox and coyotes, hunting pheasants and deer and in any other spare time, had a fishing pole in his hand and always seemed to haul one of his girls along with him. After retiring he spent time outdoors gardening, on his mower or building tool sheds. He could fix anything that he put his mind to. When he couldnt be outside, he spent time reading western books or watching western movies. He also enjoyed a game of chance at the casino, spending his time visiting with numerous friends he had made. He was a member of the Crocker Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed. He had served on the church council. His membership in the American Legion spanned over 56 years, first in the Crocker Legion and then with the Raymond Legion, Baker Post 209. During those years he had served as Post Commander in both groups. He also had been a 4-H Leader for many years and was township clerk in Warren Township where he farmed. He was a loving husband of some 52 years to Lillian who lives west of Clark. Also grateful for having shared in his life are daughters, Linda Robinson and friend Jay Clough, both of Pierre, Donna (Calvin) Rhody of Lake Poinsett, Carol (Dave) Hurkes of Watertown and Karen (Dan) Stout of Sioux Falls, 6 grandchildren, Mike (Jody) Finstad, Calonna, Donavin & Caleb Rhody and Sabena & Alysia Stout, 3 great-grandchildren, Rhiannon, Noah and Jordis, a brother, Gordon (Marcella) Gross of Turton and 4 sister-in-laws, Laura & Dorey Gross of Clark, Joyce Gross of Crocker and Wilma Gross of Dawson, MN. Preceding him in death were his parents and siblings, Carl, Tom (Ruby), LeRoy, John, Art, Elmer & Henry (in infancy) Gross and Adeline Loterbauer. Arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com