Christine Gross passed away peacefully on Christmas morning, December 25, 2023 in her home at Edgewood Village Assisted Living in Bismarck, ND at the age of 91. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 4:00 PM at Ascension Catholic Church, 1825 S 3rd St, Bismarck. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at the church. There will also be visitation on Saturday, December 30, 2023 from 12:30 -1:30 PM with a rosary at 1:30 PM at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Napoleon. Burial will follow at St. Philip Neri Cemetery.

Christine was born on April 28, 1932 to Joseph and Veronica Vetter, the seventh child of thirteen. She grew up on the family farm and attended country school until 8th grade. She continued her education at Strasburg High School from 9-10th grade where she boarded with a Strasburg family. She then transferred to St Francis Academy in Hankinson, ND to finish her high school education and graduated in 1950. That same summer she attended Valley City College for six weeks preparing to teach grade school. She taught two years at the country school near her parents farm where five of her brothers were her students and three years after marriage.

Christine married Clemens Gross on June 2, 1953 at St Joseph's Church, in rural Emmons County. They were married for 46 years until his death on January 15, 1999. They lived on a farm 12 miles south of Napoleon. They completed the building of their new home in 1965, which she said was big enough for her large family and where she hosted many gatherings. She loved to cook and bake and gather with family and friends. She opened her home to so many over the years.

Christine and Clem enjoyed attending the many sporting events that their children, and later grandchildren, participated in. They also enjoyed traveling to see their children that lived out of state and would go visit when each new grandchild was born. Her family gatherings were undoubtedly the highlight of her life. The grandchildren, great grandchildren and in-laws were always vying to be her favorite, and indeed each and every one of them were her "favorite". She made each family member feel incredibly important and gave them a place in her heart and her home to know that they belonged.

Christine married Tony Sperle on July 8, 2006. They had a lovely 10 years of marriage together, as Tony was so very kind and a perfect fit into her life and her family. She moved into Marillac Manor in Bismarck in 2015 so she could lovingly care for Tony in his last year, until he passed on December 3, 2016. It was a blessing for her to live at the Manor for five years, which was the same facility her three sisters and two brother lived. After a fall incident in July 2020, she moved into Edgewood Village Assisted Living where she met many new friends.

Faith and family were the cornerstones of Christine's life. Her faith in action was a roadmap for all to follow. Honesty, integrity, prayer, gratitude, kindness, and forgiveness were deeply held values and daily practices of hers. She loved time spent with her brothers, sisters, and in-laws as well as visits with nieces and nephews. She looked forward to the 4th of July celebration every year at Vetterville, relishing in the celebration of her family heritage.

She was a friend to many, and beloved by all. She touched countless lives as she genuinely cared and listened to their stories. She was playful, sincere and always had a sparkle in her eye and a smile for all she met. She loved sharing her wisdom and offering advice. Christine touched so many lives, was a guiding light and left her inedible mark on so many in her Napoleon community, and her home at Marillac Manor and Edgewood Village.

Christine is survived by her eleven children, her grand children and great grand children: daughter, Francita Lampert, Jacob Lampert, daughter Mia, Mitchel (Rachael) Lampert daughter's Adah and Gabriel, daughter, Verna (Dennis) Rademacher, Jenae (Herb) Wiebe daughter's Kaiya and Breckyn and son Treyson, Denelle (Jeremy) Brandon, Anna (Peter) Erickson daughter Emery and son Owen, son Jerry (Bonnie) Gross, Marshall Gross and Chantal Gross, daughter, Jacinta (Bob) Piatz, Tiffany (Brian)Reinerts daughter Keaira and son Krew, Jaslynn (BJ) Bye sons Jaeden, Jaxson and daughter Aubrey, Jordon(Payton) Piatz son Jack, daughter, Jody (Terry) Draeger, Megan (Andrew) Barnhart daughter Jamie and son's Landen and Trace, Terri Lynn (Robert) Sonday daughter Eloise and son Harvey, David (Kristi) Draeger daughter Aurora, son, Clem(Pam) Gross, Christopher(Krista) Gross daughters Kinley and Taylor and son Dawson, Brett (Christina) Gross daughters Hayden, Quinn and son Deagen, Donovan (Chelsea) Gross son Gunner, Shania (Kyle) Nieuwsma sons Henry and Max, daughter, Christine (Al) Weigel, Austin Kimberling, Makenna (Justin) Day, Ashley (Shaun) Puklich daughters Riley and Brynlee and sons Kamden and Paxton, son, Robert (Lisa) Gross, Ericka Gross, Ryan Gross, Morgan Gross, Josh Gross, daughter, Theresa (Tony) Bruno, Michael Bruno, Anthony Bruno, son, Kevin (Lori) Gross, Dylan Gross, Evan Gross son, Keith (Tina) Gross, daughter, Sarah (Jeff) Lundeen Mark Miesen, Patrick, Jackson Mason and Wilson Lundeen; brothers and in-laws; Loretta Vetter, Val and Vi Vetter, Adam and Agnes Vetter, Joe Vetter, Ben and Delphine Vetter, Celia Vetter, Leo and Bernie Vetter, Ellaine Gross, Don and Leona Hertz, Edwin Ternes, Wilfred Masset and Donna Hofman.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clemens Gross and husband Tony Sperle; stepson, Charles Sperle; her brothers, August, John, Wendelin and Tony; sisters, Elizabeth Wald, Anna Mary Fettig and Catherine Huber; in-laws, Mary Vetter (Joe), Clemens Huber, Mary Vetter (John), Marcus Wald, Frank Fettig and Katie Vetter; in-laws, Francis and Clarence Linderman Barbara Ternes Joe and MaryAnn Gross, Helen Hertz, George Gross, Monsignor Val Gross, Veronica Masset, Lucille and Terry Scherr.