Anita Nondorf Gross

Anita Nondorf Gross, 88, peacefully passed from natural causes on December 31, 2021. She was surrounded in her last days by her sister Patty, daughters, her niece, as well as video visits with additional family.  Ongoing care from Matthew, her grandson/fiancé, friends, the beloved Ridge-Foothill caregivers was supported by Inspiration Hospice team. Thank you to everyone who walked this journey with us all.

Anita remained sweet, curious and attentive to the end in preparation for yet another New Year’s Eve celebration. Ever the caregiver, Anita supported Alzheimer’s research with brain donation through Columbia University LOAD study.

Born on Friday the 13^th (she considered it lucky for her) in NW Indiana and being the 7^th of 12 children, Anita enjoyed the “Irish lively conversations” with her musical parents, many siblings, inlaws/outlaws, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Her early childhood radio performance included singing “I’m an ol’ cowhand” as part of the Nondorf Kiddies 

Anita’s nursing career began her life’s adventure with Dr Joe Gross raising their family of four in Muster and Dyer, Indiana with time in Heidelberg, Germany.  Together ‘Nita and Joe found many ways to explore the globe.

Anita was a member of the Pi Sigma Phi sorority -Upsilon chapter as were many of her family.

While Mary Beth, David, Jennifer (Robert), and Joel (Leslie) spread out with their families, Anita earned fly miles connecting with her 9 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren (and counting).

Despite the memory loss, she retained her lifelong love of music/songs, movies/tv, Cubs baseball (including 2016 world series win) and of course, Notre Dame football.

Retiring years were spent in Michigan city overlooking the beach, and volunteer nursing at Share Foundation Camp. She always enjoyed sharing experiences and had an eye for beauty in trees with Joe and her large circle of family, friends.  

Along the way, Anita acquired her love of Giraffes, culminating on her 85^th b-day extravaganza, feeding an elegant mother giraffe at the Zoo.

As ‘Nita and Joe were quite the hosts of countless gatherings through the decades, we can only imagine their theme party going on now.  We commit to continuing that reputation. We will always toast to you on New Year’s eve.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph and son, David and parents, Al and Wilda as well as several siblings. 

As a COVID survivor and always the nurse, Anita respectfully wishes for vaccines and masks to keep yourselves, families, and friends safe when gathering in her honor, as conditions dictate.

Thursday, January 27, from 6-8pm we will share Anita’s memorial celebration Starks Funeral Parlor 3651 S. 900 E. ,Salt Lake City where she spent the last few years as an endearing resident in the shadows of the Wasatch mountains.  Prayer service and toast may be livestreamed by returning to this site Thursday evening beginning at 5:30 pm where a “Watch Service Live” button will appear prior to service.  Services will be posted later on this site for all to watch on demand.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on June 11, 2022, at 10:30am at St. Joseph Church, 440 Joliet St, Dyer, Indiana.  Graveside burial at Chapel Lawn Cemetery, Schererville, followed by a catered luncheon at St. John Township Community, 1515 Lincoln Hwy, Schererville, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, may we suggest donation to Alzheimer’s Association, Hogle Zoo Giraffe conservation, or The Ridge Foothill Senior Living, Salt Lake City : their nursing scholarship fund.