Obituary of Irene Gross

Irene Gross passed away Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Grand River Hospital with her daughter at her side. She was 92, born June 16, 1932. 

Survived by her children, Dr. Edward A. Gross of New York, Annette S. Parker of Waterloo, her brother Richard Koenig and daughter in law, Dr Linda Heier. Preceded by her husband, Dominik Gross and her grandson, Jeremy Gross. 

Will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Jenny Gross of New Zealand, Dylan and Coltan Parker, of Kitchener, and her family and friends.

She was the youngest daughter of Alexander Koenig and Emma Priebe.

While still a young girl, WWII took her father and brothers and dispersed their family. Along with her mother, sisters and brother, they had to leave their family farmstead and everything they had in eastern Europe and flee for their lives. After many trials and tribulations they settled in KW, with her brother Otto Koenig who already lived here, to rebuild their lives.

She was a house wife raising her children. As the children grew she took work in shoe stores and helped out at her brother's jewelry store. She was an active member of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church and their choir until she entered Fergus Place Retirement Home where she resided since September 5, 2019.

In 1994, she began volunteering at the Senior day program for the city of Kitchener and did so for 22 years.

Her indomitable spirit helped her make the best of whatever life sent her way and she always tried to make those around her happy with her jokes and stuffed animals.

Cremation has taken place.

Please join us for a celebration of Irene’s life on Friday August 23^rd from 4pm-7pm at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home – 171 King St. S, Waterloo N2J 1P7.  Memories and remarks will be shared from 5pm-6pm. 
Graveside service will take place Saturday August 24th at 1pm at Parkview Cemetery, 335 University Ave East, Waterloo, N2J 4A8