Jodi Gross

Jodi Marie Gross lived a big life and touched the lives of many in her short 47 years.
Jodi was born in Huron, South Dakota to Diane Johnson and John Epperly on July 22nd, 1977. She grew up in Gwinner, North Dakota with her mother before moving to Enderlin, North Dakota to attend high school. At age 16, she met her lifelong partner, Danny Gross, and they married on July 12, 1997, at First Lutheran Church in Enderlin.
After having met several life-long friends through her two years at NDSCS, Dan and Jodi returned to Enderlin to start their family. Tanner John was born on November 4, 1997. Twyla Luella was born January 17th, 2000, and Trissa Isabelle made the family complete May 30th, 2001. Jodi always said how proud she was of her children and wanted nothing else than to see them succeed. During Jodi's diagnosis, she desired nothing more than to see Twyla and Trissa graduate with their respective degrees. Twyla graduated from North Dakota State University in May 2023, and Trissa graduated from Dakota State University in May 2024. Tanner continued to impress and inspire Jodi with his excellence in his work with both Dollar General and Shop N Fuel.
Jodi was well known for her kindness towards anyone she met. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Jodi is well aware of her kindness, empathy, and thoughtfulness. These traits lead her to a lifelong career in healthcare. Working as a CNA at Maryhill for 15 years, Ransom County as a Home-Health Aid for 12 years, working in the Lisbon Hospital in the swingbed wing with her beloved mother-in-law, Ellen Gross, and then finishing her career working at Family Heath Chiropractic in Enderlin. Her caregiving skills extended beyond her professional life, where she was a constant comfort to her family, specifically acting as a caregiver to Ellen during her breast cancer diagnosis.
In 2020, Jodi was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Her journey had highs and lows, yet she continued to defy the odds during her treatment. Jodi's resilience throughout one of the most challenging diagnoses has not only surprised her family and friends but also has been the topic of case studies at Roger Maris Cancer Institute. During this time, she continued to participate in her children's activities throughout their college careers, drove, worked, and most of all, continued to love with all her heart. In December of 2024, she moved into Maryhill Manor in Enderlin for continuous care and was greeted by loved ones whom she had worked alongside for many years before. She was surrounded by her family, loved ones, and her "Best of the 80s" playlist when she passed away on January 22nd, 2025.
She is preceded in death by her in-laws Ellen and Denis Gross, grandparents Willis and Genoveive Hofhenke, Charity Weiss, best friends April (Randy, surviving) Hendrickson, Nikki (Corey, surviving) Jensen.
She will be forever loved and missed by her husband Danny Gross; children Tanner, Twyla (Ethan Langerud), and Trissa Gross; her mother, Diane (Dennis) Johnson; father John (Rita Cavanaugh) Epperly; her siblings, half-sister Terri Rutgers; step-sister Bobbi (Stewert) George, step-brother Waylon Johnson; long-time friends Dixie Bopp, Jennifer Cunningham, Aaron Mlnarik, Kristina Dick, Jessica Landsverk, Lyn Cavette, many cousins, aunts, uncles, her many pets, and many friends and family.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening January 28, 2025 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Enderlin. Her funeral will be Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior. Jodi's funeral will be live streamed below. Burial will be at the Salem Cemetery rural Alice.