Math J. Gross, 101, of Napoleon, ND, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2024, at the Wentz Living Center. Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Napoleon.  Visitation will be held Friday, November 29, 2024, from 6:00-7:00 PM, with a rosary/vigil service at 7:00 PM at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Burial will be held at St. Philip Neri Cemetery.  A Livestream of Math's funeral service will be available on the St. Philip Neri Napoleon You Tube and Facebook Page.

Math was born October 7, 1923, in rural Napoleon to Magdalena (Vetter) and John M. Gross.  Math was the eldest of thirteen children.  He attended country school through the 8th grade.  Math worked hard alongside his parents and siblings on the family farm.  Prior to getting married he was hired out to help relatives farm.  On October 29, 1945, Math married the love of his life Barbara Weigel at St. Boniface Catholic Church. They were married 74 years prior to Barbara's passing.  Their first year of marriage was spent living on Math' s parents farm before settling on their diversified farm eight miles northeast of Napoleon.  Math and Barbara continued to farm until they built their retirement home in Napoleon in 1979.  Math entered the Napoleon Care Center in March 2015 where he resided until the time of his death.

Math loved the farm life and all that came with it. He enriched his own life and the lives of others through his strong work ethic and commitment to his family, church and community.   He was a member of St. Philip Neri Church.  He served on the building committee for the new church, the parish council and the St. Philip Cemetery board.  His catholic faith was so very important to him.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Lawrence Council 4496.  He held various offices including Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight and was the financial secretary for 37 years.  He reached honorary lifetime membership in 1994.  He received numerous honors including Knight of the month, Knight of the Year, District 10 Outstanding Catholic Family and District Knight of the Year.  In 1976 he received Exemplification into the Fourth Degree Knights and became a charter member of the Strasburg Fourth Degree Monsignor Selder Assembly.

Math was a very active member of his community and was willing to help out when needed.  He served on the following boards:  Glendale Township, Farmers Union Oil Company, Napoleon Care Center Board and the Election Board for over 40 years.  In 1963, he helped organize the Napoleon Rural Fire Protection District and served as a director and financial secretary.  He was a longtime member of the Logan County Farmers Union in which he held various offices, attended numerous state conventions and was selected to be a delegate at the National Convention held in Washington D.C. He was also a member of the Logan County Historical Society, Golden Age Club and Germans from Russia Heritage Society.

Math and Barbara enjoyed traveling throughout the U. S. and Canadian Provinces to sight see and visit relatives.  Their most memorable trip was in 1975 when they went to the Holy Land and Rome.  Upon retirement, Math was a crop adjuster, caretaker for the Nickish and Dahlstrom Funeral Home and driver for the Napoleon Ambulance Squad.  He attended mass daily, helped serve meals on wheels and helped friends seed and harvest.  He was also a regular at the Napoleon Sales Barn and morning coffee at DFC.  He enjoyed playing pinnacle, bowling, fishing, dancing, reading and listening to polka party every Sunday. Most of all, he loved attending family reunions and spending time with his grand and great grandchildren.

Math is survived by his four children:  Jeffrey (Connie Vetter) Gross, Bismarck, ND; Teresa Gross, Bismarck, ND; Gerald Gross, Chaska, MN; and Barb Gross, Bismarck, ND; three grandchildren, Taunia (Loren) Grad, Bismarck, ND, Matt (Michelle) Gross, New Richmond, WI and Katie (Josh) Wangler, Bismarck, ND; 12 great grandchildren; brothers John, Deacon Ben, Valentine (Gean), Bro. Placid, Pius, Isadore, Leo and sister Anne Dammel, sister-in-law Maggie (Joe) Fettig and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters: Clara Braun and Elizabeth Schatz; brothers: Andrew and Father Richard and one grandson, Dallas Gross.

The family would like to thank all the staff at the Wentz Living Center for the excellent care their father received during his time there.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Philip Neri Church, the Wentz Living Center, or the Cystic Fibrosis Association of North Dakota.