Roberta Ann Gross

Roberta "Birdy" Ann Gross, 68, of Lastrup, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Pierz Villa in Pierz, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on August 5, 1957, in Little Falls to Raymond and Marian (Brown) Seelen, Birdy was one of eight children raised on the family farm in Granite Township. She graduated from Pierz Healy High School and later completed a two-year vocational program. She began her career at the Morrison County courthouse, where she reconnected with Mark Gross, a childhood acquaintance. They married on May 28, 1977, at St. John Nepomuk Church in Lastrup and soon settled into the home where they raised their two daughters, Stacy and Sheila.

Birdy later worked as a clerk for the City of Lastrup before becoming a certified nursing assistant, a role that suited her nurturing spirit. A devoted mother and grandmother, she found her greatest joy in caring for her family. She hosted countless holiday and birthday celebrations, filled her home with warmth and good food, and created lasting traditions through cooking and baking with her grandchildren. She cherished shopping trips, vacations, visits to Lake Superior, watching game shows, and quiet time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and beloved grandpups, Duke and Ace.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Gross of Lastrup; daughters Stacy (Jason) Anderson of Bowlus and Sheila Wunner of Hermantown; six grandchildren, Kaitlin, Shawn, Austin, Zach, Macey, and Mariah; brothers Randy (Susie) Seelen, Greg (Ginny) Seelen, and Don "Kirb" (Sue) Seelen; sisters Pam (Rick) Skiba, Sherry (Jim) Pettey, and Marilyn "Toots" (Dion) Okroi; and many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Marian Seelen, and her brother, Ron Seelen.