Flossie Alice Gross

Flossie "Alice" Pack Gross was born in the little town of Lilly, W.V., on Dec. 3, 1914, the first child of Richard Pack and Hettie Lilly Pack. Her education took place in the typical one-room schoolhouse located a two-mile walk away. Education beyond seventh grade would require moving away from home and living with some strange family in town. She chose not to do that. During a brief marriage at an early age, she had a daughter and a son. Alice married Noah Franklin Gross on May 11, 1939, in Bristol, Va. They had three daughters together and raised their family in West Virginia. In 1955, they moved the family to Laramie, Wyo., and then two years later to Fort Collins where they spent the rest of their lives. Noah passed away 20 years ago. Four years ago when Alice no longer felt able to live alone, she was invited into the home of her eldest daughter's family from where she went to be with her Lord on Oct. 12, 2005, at the age of 90, when her body just wore out. Alice was ever and always a housewife and a homemaker and put all her knowledge, talents and energy into it, always researching and learning a more healthful way of life. She had a special place in her heart for each of her grandchildren, inviting them into her home to eat at her table and teaching them wonderful life principles. All her activities centered around the home and taking care of her family; gardening and preserving the produce against the winter; cooking; baking bread; and sewing. In later years, she concentrated on making quilts. Her family sleeps under her quilts and not only her own family, but many families around the world sleep under "Grandma's" warm quilts. Alice learned of a woman and her daughter in Arkansas who operate a ministry serving poverty stricken families, so she began making and sending baby quilts. Memorial contributions may be made to JoAnn Cayce Charities in Alice's name in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524. Alice is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Terry Bristol of Fort Collins whom she lived with the past four years, Sandra and Bob Fulton of Mexico, Diane and Rob Stockhouse of Washington; one brother, Leroy Pack of Florida; and five sisters, Bernice Shuck of West Virginia, Lee Williams of Tennessee, Grace Fox of West Virginia, Anne Kester of California, and Rosalie Hannah of West Virginia; her grandchildren, Alan, Mike, Jeff, Randy and Amanda Bristol, David and Ron Larm, Sheryl Kallivrousis, Marti Kintigh, Margaret Sherbeck, Susan Maddrey, Randy and Pamela Lilly and 22 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a special friend and caregiver, Carolyn Holstad. Alice is preceded in death by her father and mother; her husband; a sister, Mattie Reed; daughter, Genevieve Lilly; a son, Richard Lilly; and a grandson, Robert Erland Stockhouse III. Grandson Pastor Jeff Bristol will officiate at a celebration of life for Alice at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel with burial to follow at Grandview Cemetery. Viewing will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.