Mary Katherine Gross (née Byrne) passed away at home on Sept. 18, 2026. She was born on March 14, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the beloved wife of the late Stanley Gross Sr., with whom she shared 49 loving years of marriage. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, John Sr. and Corrine Byrne; her four brothers, John Byrne Jr., Robert and Alvera Byrne, Richard and Sharon Byrne and Tom Byrne; her sister, Jean and Milton Schwartz; her brothers-in-law, Harold Gross and Dennis and Pam Gross; her sister-in-law, Janet and Alfred Leuthauser; and her granddaughter-in-law, Amy Follett.
Mary is survived by her five loving children: Stanley Gross Jr., Erin (Doug) Follett, John (Beate) Gross, Beth Gross, and Laura (Chris) Clark.
She was a cherished grandmother to four grandsons: Richard (Morgan) Follett, Sam (Jessica) Follett, Damian Clark, and Roman Clark.
She was a proud great-grandmother to seven: Taylor Allen, Katie (Eric) Brubaker, Wyett Follett, Tatum Follett, Logan Follett, Quincey Follett, and Cora Follett; and an adoring great-great-grandmother to three: Denise Silvey, Nova Allen, and Blakely Brubaker.
Mary is also survived by her sister, Ann (the late Rich) Theiss; her sisters-in-law, Clara Byrne, Denise Byrne, and Joan (the late Jerry) Gibson; and her brothers-in-law, Larry (the late Carol) Gross and Roger (and the late Trish) Gross. She leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless dear friends.
Mary will be fondly remembered for her sweet, kind personality, her exceptional baking skills, and her famous “gift of gab.” Ever the storyteller, she was blessed with a remarkable memory that seemed to stretch from the “beginning of time.” To know Mary was truly to love her.
Services will be held at St. John the Beloved Disciple Church, located at 4616 Blue Springs Rd., Imperial, MO:
● Visitation: 9:00 AM Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the church
● Funeral Mass: 10:00 AM
● Interment: St. John’s Cemetery (Rock Creek)
In lieu of flowers, Masses or contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the St. Vincent de Paul Society are greatly appreciated. Service of Kutis South County.
Sorry for your Loss Wayne, sorry I couldn’t be there, you guys are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you
Our thoughts and prayers are with this wonderful family. Mary is and was our close special friend as was her husband Stan and all of her children. Mary is our special saint and we will miss her so much as we miss Stan. She is now our saint in heaven. Love and hugs to all of you.
Charlie and Sue
My heart hurts for all of you for the loss of such a beautiful loving soul. Aunt Katherine was always so sweet, smiling, and cheerful. She was always pure sunshine! Love you all. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Laura (Byrne) White & family
My heart goes out to Mary’s family.
She was a dear and loving friend.
We were just together a week before her passing. We were celebrating our 65th high school reunion. She was having a great day, talking and laughing
with everyone.
I am so glad we were able to share that final time with her.
She will always be in our thoughts