Carol Gross

Carol Beatrice Gross passed away surrounded by her loving family on May 7, 2023 at the age of 70. Carol was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on March 31, 1953 to Dr. Arnold P. and Lucille (Krier) Feider. She was raised in Cleveland, WI and had fond memories traveling across the country in her family's Airstream trailer. Even from a young age, Carol had a deep appreciation for nature and preferred to do the "boys'" chores because they required her to go outside.

Carol graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (O.T.). During college, she spent summers working as a camp counselor at Easterseals Camp Wawbeek in the Wisconsin Dells. There she empowered people with special needs to sleep under the stars, go swimming in the lake and participate in camp activities in an inclusive and enabling environment. After completing O.T. internships in San Diego, CA, Wheatridge, CO, Wheaton, IL, and Minneapolis, MN, she worked as an O.T. in the South St. Paul and Cottage Grove school districts and later at Children's Theraplay in Maplewood, MN.

Carol met her husband of 43 years, Richard, in the Twin Cities area and they settled in Afton, MN where she devoted her time to raising their two daughters. Carol worshipped at Guardian Angels Church and volunteered at the Guardian Angels Food Shelf Garden. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, music and dancing, cross country skiing in the Boundary Waters and practicing yoga at the Institute of the Himalayan Tradition. She was an avid reader and at one time was a member of three book clubs.

Later in life, Carol spent winters in Key Colony Beach, Florida where she golfed with friends, swam, snorkeled, played mahjong and maintained public gardens with the Marathon Garden Club.

Carol will be remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother and wife. She loved to connect with others, making friends of strangers on a daily basis, and countless individuals were touched by her many acts of kindness. Carol leaves a legacy of unconditional love.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents Dr. Arnold P. and Lucille Feider, brother (Arnold Feider), sister (Phyllis Zelenski), brother-in-law (Michael Zelenski) and nephew (Joseph Feider). She is survived by her husband Richard Gross; daughters Katherine 'Katie' Ness (Blair) and Kristin Just (Eric); granddaughters Fern and Nellie; brothers Dr. Robert 'Bob' Feider (Peggy), Dr. Dennis Feider (Barb), Dr. Bruce Feider (Roxanne) and sister-in-law Mary Beth Feider; as well as fifteen nieces and nephews.

A public visitation and funeral service will be held at Guardian Angels Church (8260 4th St N, Oakdale, MN 55128) on June 15th at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be made to The Pillars Hospice Home of Oakdale, MN.