Sister Adella Gross

Sister Adella Gross, 94 year old resident of Little Falls, MN passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the St. Francis Convent on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. Friends may call at St. Francis Convent on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the funeral. Mass will be live-streamed on YouTube: youtube.com/@FSLFvideos. Donations to Franciscan Sisters ministries are preferred. Caring for Sister Adella and her family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN. Adella Anna Gross was born in Little Falls, MN, on December 9, 1930, to the late Peter and Anna (Weidenbach) Gross, the third of four children in the family. She grew up in Pierz, MN, and attended St. Joseph School in Pierz and St. Francis High School in Little Falls. She joined the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls in 1947. She was a Franciscan Sister for 77 years. Following her profession of vows, she served as an educator, parish minister, missionary and coordinator in various parts of the country and Latin America. Adella had a keen interest in and desire to serve those less fortunate or those in situations of injustice or exploitation. She worked on behalf of economic justice and human rights for a variety of groups but had a special love for the migrant farm workers and their difficult and unappreciated work. She coordinated Ministry to Migrants and Itinerant People for a number of years at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. She came to know and love families who worked in the circus and always delighted in meeting them “on the road.” She coordinated the publishing of a catechetical resource for those in the circus. Adella loved her Franciscan vocation and was grateful for the many rich opportunities and many blessings her life in the community had given her. She loved her family and enjoyed being in touch with them and took pride in their accomplishments. Sister Adella was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Carl and Gary; sister, Marie Dombovy; sisters-in-law, Lorraine and Cel; and brother-in-law, Anthony Dombovy. She is survived by her nieces, nephews, extended family and her Franciscan Community.

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Sister Adella Gross

December 9, 1930 - February 17, 2025