Obituary of Marissa Ann Gross

Marissa Ann “Marci” Gross (nee Olson), died unexpectedly on December 10, 2018 at the age of 52 at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Marci was born in Burnsville, Minnesota on December 9, 1966 to Walter and Marilyn Olson. She was a 1985 graduate of Burnsville High School. After completing her flight attendant training and education, she began working for Delta (Northwest) in December 1989. In August of 1992 she married Christopher Gross, her true, true love and ultimate soulmate. Marci lead a charmed life, growing up in a loving home with two older brothers who, despite the typical brotherly tormenting, doted on her equally. She loved her childhood ‘gang’ in the neighborhood, her school friends and playing sports. Her earliest passion, figure skating, began at seven years old. When the Saturday morning lessons weren’t enough for her, she joined the Burnsville Figure Skating Club, where she competed in meets and earned coveted solo programs in the annual shows. Her most memorable competition was in Janesville, Wisconsin where she skated with a sprained ankle, took 1st place then left for the emergency room with her trophy in hand and skate stuck on a too-swollen ankle. At 14 she earned a spot on the North Starlettes Precision Line, skating at North Star Hockey games for the next seven years. Marci was also a member of the Minneapolis Precision Line that competed nationally. In June of 2017, just a few short years after Marci and Chris had relocated to Las Vegas and settled into their beautiful home, Marci experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm, followed by several small strokes. She remained hospitalized for nearly two months. For the next year and a half, she went through rigorous rehabilitation, earning the “walking miracle” title by her doctors and dedicated medical staff. She battled back with the help of so many, but especially Chris, whose wonderful sense of humor, meticulous documentation efforts and drill sergeant-like work ethic kept Marci moving toward her ultimate return to work in the summer of 2018. Around that same time, he became ill and was finally diagnosed with liver cancer in late August. He passed from this horrendous disease on September 30th. Marci’s recovery from the brain trauma was great, but not complete. She appeared to some to be unaffected, but she wasn’t. She struggled with her thinking, her nervous system and her mobility and she hated to have that struggle every day. She’d previously performed at such a high standard, that it was torturous to her to be anything less. This, coupled with Chris’ illness, was just too much. Chris was absolutely everything to her and even more so after nursing her through her recovery. That she couldn’t help him recover and then, the loss of him was devastating, too devastating to continue in life without him. The outpouring of love for Marci by all those who knew her has been incredible. Her family is humbled and appreciative beyond words. To say she will be dearly missed, falls too far short. Marci is survived by her mother, Marilyn Olson; brothers Robert Olson and Randy Olson (Leanne); nephews Kenny Olson, Collin Olson and Clint Livingston; niece Ellen Pechacek and many loving extended family members, co-workers and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Christopher R. Gross (2018) and her father, Walter M. Olson (2007). There are no immediate plans for a service. We hope to celebrate the beautiful person Marci was, soon.