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 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.
