Gertrude "Gert" Gross, 91, of Elk Rapids, peacefully passed away on April 4, 2024. She was born in Arcadia, Michigan on October 13, 1932, to Charles and Myrtle (Johnson) Newberry. She graduated from Arcadia High School in 1952 where she was on the High School basketball team.  After graduation she was employed at Watervale Inn on Lake Michigan.  While in Arcadia she met the love of her life, Alben Gross when his parents owned the Big Apple Bar.  They were married on April 10, 1955 in Frankfort and started a family in Elk Rapids where Alben was employed.

Gert was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church for many years.  She was part of the Alter Society and a substitute catechism teacher.  While raising 4 daughters she took many jobs around town including babysitting for multiple families and a cook at the Bayside Nursey School.  Later people could see her riding her bike to the Elk River Motel where she was a housekeeper.  She loved to tend to her gardens, take photos of events and family, play slots at the casino, and whip up delicious bake goods in her kitchen.  She would always enter several items in the bake-off that was held at Harbor Days, winning multiple ribbons.

Gert is survived by: her husband Alben; daughters JoAnn Murtland, Nancy (Jon) Allard, Lisa (David) Woodley, and Mary Gross; grandchildren Michael (Andrea), Cam (Carrie), Nick, Ellee (Curtis), Logan, Andy, Natalie, and Joe; 10 great-grandchildren; brother Charles (Jeanne) Newberry and sister Deanna Hull; sisters-in-law Sharon Newberry, Arletta Newberry, and Alma Penfold-House; brothers-in-law Dario (Eileen) Gross and John (Rosemary) Grossa; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Gert was preceded in death by: her parents; brothers Robert Newberry and David Newberry; sisters Charla Moore and Marylin Rice; brothers-in-law Gerald Rice and Robert Hull; and son-in-law Hank Murtland.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Elk Rapids Chapel, 312 Pine Street, Elk Rapids. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 143 Charles Street, Elk Rapids.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM followed by a rosary at 10:30 at the church.

For those who wish to make a memorial contribution in Gert's name, please consider donating to the Antrim County Commission on Aging Meals on Wheels program (P.O. Box 614, Bellaire, MI 49615) or the Sacred Heart Building Fund www.sacredheartelkrapids.org .

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell Elk Rapids Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com