James "Jim" William Gross

James (Jim) William Gross was reunited with his eternal father on December 1, 2024 at the age of 87 years. A devout Catholic, Jim spent much of his life donating time and resources to serve the needs of others.

Born in New London, WI to Elmer and Lucille (Hetzer) Gross, Jim and his sister Shirley attended Most Precious Blood Catholic Grade School. His father’s career twice relocated the family during the siblings’ formative years, leading to a brief residence in Green Bay and eventually settling in Fort Atkinson, where the children attended high school. Jim graduated in 1955, having been a member of the debate club and track team. 

In 1959 Jim graduated from UW-Whitewater (at the time known as Wisconsin State College), having been a brother of the Delta Kappa Fraternity while earning his bachelor’s degree in social work. (The oldest hanging photo inside that fraternity still bears his photo, along with some of his closest friends.) He subsequently earned his graduate degree in 1961 from Florida State and began working thereafter at the Veterans Administration hospital in West Allis, where he, for 35 years, served committedly as a psychiatric social worker, assisting in the treatment of war veterans. After retirement he worked at ‘Best Days Afield’ hunting club near Fort Atkinson. 

Jim was also involved in charitable services, having spent decades on the Rome Fire Board as a member and eventually president. He and his wife led the Southeastern Wisconsin Project Self Help and Awareness effort for almost ten years. He was a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus organization for approximately 30 years, and assisted in various roles with the St Joseph’s Fort Atkinson Parish, including Eucharistic Minister and Usher. Jim was a familiar face at local blood drives and fund-raising events. 

Jim loved spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and playing cards. He and his family spent many vacations in northern Wisconsin, boating on the many lakes and frequenting the supper clubs. Together with friends Jim also traveled to bottle collector shows, snatching up any memorabilia bearing his great grandfather’s brewery’s name, Knapstein. 

Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathleen (Scheunemann) Gross; son Michael (Caryn) Gross, son Daniel (Karen) Gross, grandchildren Zachary, Nolan, and Aletta; nephews Paul and John Franceschi; and other nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in eternal rest by parents Elmer and Lucille Gross, sister Shirley Franceschi and niece Laura Franceschi. 

Memorials made out to St Joseph Catholic Church are appreciated. 

A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11:30AM on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Visitation will take place from 9:30AM until the time of Mass.  Immediately following Mass, a burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.