Bruce Gross
Wednesday, May 16, 1956
Date of Death:
Monday, November 6, 2023
Age:
67 years old
Bruce Gross
Bruce Richard Gross- Dodge Center, MN. “Mr. Gross/ Coach Gross”
Bruce R. Gross, 67, of Dodge Center, MN, died on Monday Nov 6th, 2023 at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, MN.
Bruce was born May 16, 1956, in Sisseton, SD, to Richard Gross and LaDonna Wallace (Gerber). He graduated from Sisseton, SD in 1974.
Bruce attended Northern State University, Aberdeen on a football and track scholarship where he obtained his Industrial Arts/ Physical education teaching bachelor’s degree.
Bruce was united in marriage to Vickie McCleerey on August 19, 1978. They started their family in Ruthton, MN where Bruce taught for 17 years, was a fire chief, a first responder, and a dedicated athletic coach for track, football and basketball. They moved to Dodge Center, MN where he taught for another 17 years at Kasson-Mantorville and coached football and basketball. He retired in 2014 from teaching but continued his construction company.
He loved watching and attending sporting events, especially the University of Michigan and Chicago Bears football games. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, bird watcher and squirrel antagonizer.
Bruce is survived by his wife Vickie Gross, Dodge Center, MN. Three children; Jenny (Cunningham) Gross, San Diego CA, Kimber (Mujwid) Gross, Hudson, WI, and Matthew Gross, Marshall, MN and five grandchildren; Maribelle, Jase, Cole, Emily and Luke.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Autumn Ridge Church, Timothy Chapel, Rochester, MN with Pastor Rick Henderson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
In Lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in form of outdoor gardening or bird watching gifts.
Condolences
The family of Bruce Gross has received the following condolences.
Dear classmate Vickie and Family,
We have fond memories of you and Bruce as classmates and friends at SHS. Bruce was not only a really good football player/athlete but what fun we had as teammates…and we will forever smile about it all, thank you!
Bruce lives on in many hearts, and in ways beyond our knowing. We send our love and prayers to you,
Jim and Gloria Pearson
Dear classmate Vickie and Family,
We have fond memories of you and Bruce as classmates and friends at SHS. Bruce was not only a really good football player/athlete but what fun we had as teammates…and we will forever smile about it all, thank you!
Bruce lives on in many hearts, and in ways beyond our knowing. We send our love and prayers to you,
Jim and Gloria Pearson
May your family, friends and tge Lord bless and bring you strength now and forever. My deepest sympathy
Hi Vickie, so sorry to hear of Bruce's death. Our sincere sympathy, may God help you during this difficult time.
Your friends,
Sue and Paul Kyllo
I was so sad to see this...Mr. Gross taught me how to change oil and change a tire...2 of the best things I ever learned in high school. I became a teacher and coach myself...31 years ago and he was on of my inspirations. Vickie...you maybe remember me...Brenda Alderson. I became a mom at the age of 16, lived in Ruthton and went onto college a few years later. I really enjoyed my shop classes with Bruce and was first going to be an architect but changed to teaching. My sympathies to you and the kids!
I'm so sorry for your loss Vicki and family, you've been in my thoughts and prayers. Bruce was such a wonderful guy and I always enjoyed our visits at the office. Many hugs for you Vicki!
Shawn Johnson
I'm so sorry for your loss Vicki and family, you've been in my thoughts and prayers. Bruce was such a wonderful guy and I always enjoyed our visits at the office. Many hugs for you Vicki!
Shawn Johnson
So sorry. He was a great teacher and a roll model for us students we respect and love how his teaching abilities and words still come with knowledge and help
Coach Gross,
Thank you! You made me a better athlete and helped me improve as a football, basketball, & track athlete.
As a current educator & coach your influence still lives on as I used many drills as a HS football & basketball coach that I learned as one of your players.
I appreciate your tough as nails approach to the game.
May you rest in peace, sir.
Prayers,
Kristian Nielsen
Vicky and family so sorry for your loss. Sending peace, prayers and blessings. Hugs to you all❤️ Rick & Kay Schmidt and family
Vicky and family so sorry for your loss. Sending peace, prayers and blessings. Hugs to you all❤️ Rick & Kay Schmidt and family
I taught with Bruce for ten years. He welcomed me, was a mentor, and a friend. He always made work enjoyable. Bruce was someone to talk to and someone to hear a good story from.
So sorry for your loss.
Sending my deepest sympathies. He was one of those teachers who you never forget, his patience during woodworking class was much appreciated by this once shy and nervous student. He was one of the few to treat us with respect as long as we gave him the respect back. While he will be deeply missed, he will live on in so many students' memories.
Sending my deepest sympathies. He was one of those teachers who you never forget, his patience during woodworking class was much appreciated by this once shy and nervous student. He was one of the few to treat us with respect as long as we gave him the respect back. While he will be deeply missed, he will live on in so many students' memories.
Sending my deepest sympathies. He was one of those teachers who you never forget, his patience during woodworking class was much appreciated by this once shy and nervous student. He was one of the few to treat us with respect as long as we gave him the respect back. While he will be deeply missed, he will live on in so many students' memories.
TO Vickie and Family,
Leon and I want to send our sympathy to you and your family,
We have many wonderful and fun memories as teaching colleagues in Ruthton. God give you the strength to cherish all the great memories you have in your heart.
Marilyn and Leon Mortland
We are so very sorry Vickie. What a great God loving man Bruce was. Know you are being lifted in prayer for comfort, rest and energy during the difficult time ahead. ?? ❤️
Beth and Curt Herman
We are so very sorry Vickie. What a great God loving man Bruce was. Know you are being lifted in prayer for comfort, rest and energy during the difficult time ahead. ?? ❤️
Beth and Curt Herman
Bruce was one of my favorite teachers at KM. He was so patient, kind and fun- and he helped those of us who didn’t excel at woodworking out a whole lot with his heart of gold! He got me every time with that damn dog bite! Sending love to all of his family!
So sorry for your loss!
Our deepest sympathies on the loss of a husband and father.
Vicky, we just heard this shocking news and can’t imagine what you are going through. We are available to help you with anything we can. Please call 507-316-4901. We stopped at your home this morning but no one was home. You and your family are certainly in our prayers.
I sincerely extend my sympathy to Bruce's family at this very sad time. Bruce helped with a laundry room project at
my home a few years ago and then again with a basement project this past summer...wonderful work and a wonderful
person. He hugged me when he was done and said "See you again", and it wasn't meant to be I guess.
I was saddened when I heard my childhood friend, classmate, teammate, my roommate in college and teammate on the NSU football team passed away.
What great memories we made together in those special years. I will miss you my Friend.
Dear Vickie and family,
May God hold you closely in His loving arms. Bruce was friendly and kind. He will be a great Angel.
Bruce looks the same here as how I remember him. It’s been 50 years but my memories of his great athletic skill and personality are still strong. You have a lifetime of memories to keep him in your heart. May they give you comfort and peace.
Mr/Coach Gross was my Shop Teacher & Girls Basketball Coach many years ago in Ruthton. I was recalling various memories with another teammate when I learned of his passing. I smiled & laughed at recalling some of the memories! He always kept things interesting that’s for sure!! My sympathy to Vickie, the kids & grandkids. Hold tight to the memories & don’t be afraid to smile & laugh when you recall those memories! Rest easy Mr Gross??
Vicki, my thoughts and prayers to you and your family. So sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed talking to you and Bruce when we were neighbors.
Julie Beth
I’m so sorry to hear about Bruce we always had some great talks that I will miss! You guys are in my thoughts and prayers???
So sorry for ur loss.i worked for him and with bruce.one thing for sure, he had the gift of gab. Jobs took longer than supposed to because of the gossip stories laughing and general B.S. I loved every minute of it. He will be missed by all that met him. He was one of the good guys RIP buddy
Vickie and family:
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Dawn Conwell
So sorry to hear of Bruce's passing Thoughts and prayers to the family. As rough as many thought he was from an outside perspective, he was a compassionate man that cared more than many ever knew. He touched many people on his path through life.