Pearl Gross March 27, 1918 - March 28, 2011 Pearl passed away in Estevan, Sask. on Monday, March 28, 2011 at the age of 93 years. Pearl is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Joan (Ken) Barnstable, Estevan; Carole (Rod) Staff, Prince Albert; son Keith (Jan) Gross, Estevan. She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, Lane (Tamara) Gross, Edmonton; Nolan (Dawn) Gross, Regina; Shayla and Cason Staff, Prince Albert; and great grandchildren, Jaidyn, (Moose Jaw), Dawsyn, (Edmonton), Hunter, (Regina); sisters-in-law, Mary Schiller, Weyburn; Cecilia (John) Olheiser, Carlyle; numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband Bill of 68 years on August 21, 2010; her parents, John and Lola Gunness; brothers, Ronald, Clyde, Delbert; and sister, Frieda. Pearl Gross was born on the farm near Sonningdale, Saskatchewan on Wednesday, March 27, 1918 at 2:00 p.m. to John and Lola Gunness. She had 3 brothers, Ronald, Clyde, Delbert, and 1 sister, Frieda. Pearl met her loving husband Bill when he came to work on the farms in the area. As the story goes, Bill circled the jewellery store three times before he got the courage to go in and buy the engagement ring and ask Pearl to be his wife. She accepted. Before they got married Bill left for the M & S Mines near Bienfait to work with Bobby Auld for the purpose of strip mining with Caterpillar tractors at the M & S Mine, then later working as a coal miner and electrician. Pearl came down to the Mine to live after their marriage on December 26, 1942 at Maymont, Saskatchewan by Rev. Frank Myers. Pearl worked in the Mine store for a couple of years after her arrival at the Mine. Their daughter Joan was born in 1945, son Keith in 1950, and they adopted Carole, born in 1964, after Pearl's sister Frieda passed away in September of 1969. Pearl started up her own little home business by selling Beauty Counsellor cosmetics and did this for many years. In 1953 Bill started selling Electrolux vacuums and in 1955 he left the Mine and moved the family to Estevan where Bill and Pearl set up a vacuum sales office and Bill continued to sell and install vacuums with Pearl's assistance until the shop closed in 2006. Joan (Ken) married in 1966 and Keith (Jan) in 1972. In 1974 Bill expanded the business and moved with Pearl and Carole to Regina until 1986 at which time Bill and Pearl moved back to Estevan to manage the business. Carole (Rod) married in 1991. Pearl was baptized August 7, 1919 and felt the importance and love for church in her life. She was a member of the Order of Royal Purple, Auxiliary to the Elks. Along with Bill, she enjoyed sports and attended Estevan Bruin hockey games, Saskatchewan Roughrider games, and was an avid fan of the Toronto Blue Jays. All their life Pearl and Bill loved to travel and Bill's vacuum cleaner business took them to many conventions in Montreal and Las Vegas. They travelled to many points in Canada and the U.S.A., such as Vancouver, Banff, Calgary, Edmonton, Minneapolis, New York City, Washington, D.C., Hollywood, San Diego, Hawaii, Laughlin, Nevada, and points in North Dakota. Pearl was the stay-at-home Mom, the calming force in the family; she loved to have family get-togethers, loved to travel with Bill, and was always a fancy dressed lady. The family affectionately called her "The Queen", "Mom", "Pearlie", "Diamond" or "Granny". On March 11, 2011 Pearl was admitted to hospital with a heart condition and passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 28, one day after celebrating her 93rd birthday with family and friends. Funeral Service was held on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in St. Paul's United Church, Estevan, with Rev. Eric Pullam officiating. Pearl was laid to rest beside her husband Bill in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan. Those so wishing may make donations to the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, Box 5000-203, Estevan SK S4A 2V6 or St. Paul's United Church, 1418-3rd Street, Estevan, SK S4A 0S4. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. Thank You The family of Pearl Gross would like to thank Dr. Christie and the staff of St. Joseph's Hospital and Unit A for their compassionate care. To all our friends and family who sent cards, prayers and well wishes, food, flowers, visits, donations, all those at Valley View Heritage Place, and the pallbearers, we thank you. Our thanks to the staff at Hall Funeral Services for all your help during this difficult time; Rev. Eric Pullam for performing the service and your visits; to grandsons Lane and Nolan for the Eulogy (Granny would be proud), the United Church for the luncheon. - The Gross Family.
