Charles "Edward" Gross, 84 of rural Meriden, Iowa passed away peacefully at home on Monday evening, February 13, 2017, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 17th, at 1 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. Rev. Jeff Harris will officiate. Burial will be in the Afton Township Cemetery, rural Cherokee, Iowa. There will be military rites at the cemetery by L.A. Wescott Post #2253 of the V.F.W. Visitation will be on Thursday from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. with the family present from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee with a prayer service to follow at 7 p.m. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Edward (Ed) was born October 31, 1932 in rural Marcus, IA to Porter and Freda Gross. He was fortunate to have lived on the current family farm near Meriden with his parents and sister LaVonne. Farming alongside his dad at an early age, work was emphasized most. Some play was allowed, involving Ed and his dad building a boat and fishing together. Ed's school days were at Meriden where he graduated in 1950. Following graduation, he farmed until he was drafted for the Korean War. War began for him in boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. This took him to Korea where he served his country. During this time of duty he was assigned to an engineer training unit under the 6th Armored Division. The death of his father brought him home on honorable discharge for hardship to take over the family farm.

He met his first wife Joyce Marie Staver and they were married on February 6, 1960 at Maryhill Visitation Catholic Church. They started their life together on the family farm where they raised their two children. Jane Marie and Daniel Charles. Ed worked hard on the farm and his other talents shined through when he began making his own farm equipment. He didn't have an education past 12th grade, but he was brilliant in designing his high boy sprayers, shears, and a car crusher. He never drew a blueprint, he would think about the design, sleep on it and a piece of steel became Ed's masterpiece.

Ed lost his first wife Joyce on June 30, 1994. He then met Judith Ann Sutton and they were married on March 30, 1996 at the Methodist Church in Storm Lake, Iowa. Their married life also began on the family farm. Judy brought into Ed's family, three daughters and three grandchildren.

Edward was fortunate to have grown up on the farm, where he tilled and planted year after year, worked in his shop, raised his children, watched his grandchildren play on the farm, experience loss, found a new life with Judy and took pride in his accomplishments.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents Porter and Freda, sister and brother-in-law LaVonne and James H. Michener, and first wife Joyce.

Surviving are his wife Judy, daughter Jane (Dave) Gregg of Berthoud CO; son Dan (Tonya) Gross of Des Moines, IA; 1 grandson: Josh (Rachel) Welch of Eustis, FL, 2 granddaughters: Jacqui (Mario) Torres of Loveland, CO, JaNae Gregg of Berthoud, CO; 3 great granddaughters: Reese Welch, MaKenna Torres, Kinsley Torres; 1 great grandchild due in April (Josh/Rachel); 3 step-daughters: Dawn Greene and significant other Joel of Sutherland, IA, Jennifer Matthews and significant other Richie of Omaha, NE, Mary (James) Grandick of Council Bluffs, IA; 3 step-grandchildren: Nathan Matthews, Michael (Regan) Greene, Morgan Greene and significant other Todd; 1 great step-granddaughter – Frankie Lu.