Frances Gross, 91, of Fontanelle

Celebration of Life Services:  Will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Iowa, with burial in the Fontanelle Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial.  Pastor Steven Broers will officiate the service.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at to be www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Open Visitation:  Will be held on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Tuesday evening at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials:  May be directed to the Frances Gross Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

Frances Emma Gross was born to Arno Langguth and Louise (Baudler) Langguth on October 18, 1931, in rural Adair County, Fontanelle, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle where she was a lifelong member. She joined her heavenly Father on July 5, 2023 at the age of 91.

Frances was raised on the farm. She attended country school and graduated from Fontanelle High School in 1950. Frances graduated with honors from Adair County country school. She enjoyed high school cheerleading and was valedictorian of her class. Frances was united in marriage to August Herman Gross, Jr. on February 4, 1951, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church. They lived on the family farm west of Fontanelle. From this union three children were born, Lori, Eric, and Jill.

Frances served the youth of the community through her work as a 4-H Leader and Bridgewater-Fontanelle School board member. She enjoyed serving on the Fontanelle Public Library Board of Directors and Adair County Health Foundation Board of Directors. Frances also served as Associate Director for Southwest Iowa Egg.  She worked many years at Adair County Bank, and later First National Bank. She also worked at Howe & Olesen Law Offices and enjoyed working for Hallmark Cards and American Greetings as a retail merchandiser.

Serving God and her Lord, Frances was active in Alter Guild, church vestry, and Women of the Church Circles.  She taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years. She especially enjoyed contributing to the church music program and loved playing in the bell choir.

Frances was a seamstress, an avid flower gardener and home decorator.  Her greatest joy was raising her family and spending time with her grandchildren.  Planning family celebrations, baking dozens of scrumptious cookies, attending 4-H and sporting events and later traveling with Gus in their golden years, provided lasting memories.

Frances’ family includes daughter Lori and husband Lance Overmyer of Omaha, Nebraska and their children, Krystal (Jonathon) Braden, & Ramona of Arlington, Virginia; Erica (Adam) Hilkemann, & Heidi, Petra, and Otto of Dallas, Texas; son Eric and his wife Sarah Gross of Fontanelle, Iowa and their daughters, Rebecca (Simo) Starcevich of Chicago, Illinois, and Christine Gross of Des Moines, Iowa; daughter Jill Allegri of Leawood, Kansas, and her children Ashley (Jason) Sabo of St. Louis, Missouri, and Thomas Allegri of Leawood, Kansas; sister Irma Jean Mitchell and sister-in-law Jane Langguth, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gus, brother Fritz Langguth, and brother-in-law Ralph Mitchell.

The family of Frances Gross wishes to express gratitude for all acts of kindness shown during this time of sorrow and celebration of life. We invite you to share in a luncheon and fellowship at Emmanuel Lutheran Church following services at the cemetery.