Marla Gross, 67, passed away in her home at Essex, Iowa following a courageous battle with cancer on September 14, 2024.  Marla Lea Gladman was born on July 26, 1957 in Maryville, Missouri to Marvin and Barbara Gladman.  She graduated a semester early from Red Oak High School with the Class of 1975.  As a young adult she put her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized.  Since then, she fervently studied the Bible and was willing to make it her guide throughout her life rarely missing her morning Bible reading.

Marla married Francis Gross on December 29, 1982.  She deeply loved her family and took great pride in being a wife and homemaker.  Her grandchildren were her passion, and she loved spending time with them.  She was always ready for a good conversation, perhaps with controversial topics, sure to encourage deeper thought on the matter.  Since she had a great compassion for people, especially the elderly and small children, it is no surprise she would choose health and child care fields when she did seek employment.

She enjoyed listening to a variety of music, reading, watching NFL football (a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs), searching for a special "treasure" at yard sales, perhaps adding to her massive collection of porcelain dolls, amusement parks, and even continued to ride roller coasters into her 60s.

Marla's husband of 41 years, Francis Gross, survives of the home in Essex, Iowa. Additional survivors include her mother Barbara Gladman, brothers JD Gladman, Eric (Gina) Gladman, sister Karen (Joe) Michel; son Jamie (Tina) Byrom of Eudora, Kansas, stepdaughters Amy Blanco of Kansas City, Kansas and Rachel Gross of Kansas City, Missouri, daughter Shandalen (Dale) Frueh of Maryville, Missouri; grandchildren Shanna (Laray) Tatum, Nicholas Byrom, Xavior (Michaela) Byrom, Isabel Blanco, Alyssa Rudd, Hannah Frueh, Benjamin Frueh; great grandchildren Aiden Blanco, Mia Byrom.

She was preceded in death by her father Marvin Gladman, daughter Angela Gross, and grandson Abraham Blanco.