LaVern Gross

1939 - 2026

LaVern Anthony Gross, passed away at home in Taber, peacefully in his sleep with his wife Evelyn by his side after battling cancer at the age of 87 years.

Besides Evelyn (née Ashton), his loving wife of sixty three years, LaVern is survived by their three sons, Shawn Gross (Shannon Shaw) of Lethbridge and thier family Samantha (Taylor) Leeb and Brett (Brooklyn) Gross; Darcy (Cara) Gross of Edmonton and their family Dexter Gross, KaTessa (Gavin) Speidel and Denzel Gross (Marley Stasiuk); Scott Gross (Cherrie Bottaro) of Edmonton and their family Dakoda Gross (Matt Beitschat), Dawson Gross (Makenna Claire) and Owen Gross. He is also survived by nine great grandchildren, Beckham, Decker, Mikayla, Leo, Kaylieen, Hudson, Oakland, Alison and Sawyer. He will be lovingly remembered by his brother Marvin Gross and sisters-in-law Arliss Gross, Lorelei Gross, Dorothy (Gerald) Lee and Peggy Ashton; his brother-in-law Lynn Ashton and by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Hilda Gross; brothers Ben Gross and Duane Gross; sisters Violet (Steve) Ell and Rose (Ron) Knibb; daughters-in-law Juanita Gross and Tammy Gross; sisters-in-law Eileen Gross and Marg Baird; brothers-in-law Garth Ashton, Lyle Ashton and Pat Ashton; grandson Dustin Gross.

LaVern was born in Lethbridge on July 13, 1939 and lived on a farm in a small Southern Alberta town called Grassy Lake. He started working at SMRID (St. Mary’s River Irrigation District) and then went to Water Resources in Grassy Lake. LaVern and Evelyn were married in June of 1963. In 1968, their family moved to Taber where they remain today. Upon moving to Taber, LaVern worked for Koch Oil moving condensate. In 1974 LaVern bought his first truck, a Kenworth Cabover. Through the years several trucks came and went hauling oil and gravel. In 1980 he bought a Cherry Picker and put it to work in the oil patch hauling pipe, then he sold the picker in 1983. Since 1989 he worked hauling sugar for Chinook Carriers in Taber. LaVern then decided it was time to hang the steering wheel up and started his retirement in 2007, enjoying the company of his friends with a coffee in hand at A&W, solving the world's problems. LaVern enjoyed working with his hands on cars he bought and sold. He also enjoyed being on the sidelines watching his family, especially his grandchildren as they grew, had adventures and raised families of their own. He loved his time fishing the many waters, but more importantly were those that fished with him that he so loved. Till we meet again.

A private committal will be held at the Taber Memorial Garden.