Verna Irene Gross

Verna Irene (Czapf) Gross, age 97, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025 peacefully in Saline, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her soul mate and husband of nearly 60 years, Dorwin E. Gross, whom she met as a teenager at Hope Lutheran Church. Born April 11, 1927 in Dearborn, Michigan, Verna graduated from Fordson High School, and then worked as a model and fashion show commentator at the J. L. Hudson Department Store in Detroit, as well as a tour guide at Greenfield Village (The Henry Ford). She married Dorwin in 1955 and continued to live and raise her family in Dearborn. During retirement, she and Dorwin moved to Ann Arbor, spent winters in much loved Marco Island, Florida, and traveled the world extensively together. She enjoyed singing in choirs at church and Ford Motor Company, reading, gardening, and crafts including needlework. She lived a life of kindness, generosity, and volunteer service.
Survivors include her children John Gross of Saline, Michigan, Nancy (Ronald Fergle) Gross of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Paul (Rose) Gross of Westminster, Colorado; grandchildren Tyler (Meghan) Gross, Elliot, Sarah, Mallory (Alexander), Ian, Rhiannon (Eli), and Olivia; great-grandchildren Alexis, Grayson and Stephen; niece Jane Cameron, and cousins.
In addition to her husband Dorwin, she was proceeded in death by her father Louis Czapf, mother Verna (Medos) Czapf, sister Ruth Cameron, daughter-in-law Lisa (Mailloux) Gross, and grandson Alexander.
She will be remembered for her positive outlook, outgoing personality, caring nature, and as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. Per her wishes, no funeral or service will be held. To leave a memory you have of Verna or to sign her online guestbook please visit www.rbfhsaline.com