The 4th Anniversary of mom's death/"No man ever spoke like this man!"/House full- 17 grands for pasta - +JMJ+

 

My mother with her two oldest girls - myself and my sister, Marty, who is 14 months younger than me.  A picture from 70 years ago that I found when I stayed with my dad in his assisted living the day after mom died in a day after falling before breakfast and fracturing her hip and dying by 5p that day. 

Yes, she was very beautiful and how we loved to share our Catholic Faith together.  We totally agreed on all that The Church gives to us - more than we can ever take in with each new day!  The Saints, The Word, the Sacraments, on and on!!!  

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: The amazing story of the 13 becoming Catholic!  

My mother's Obituary

Mass of Christian burial for Nancy Cross, 90, of New Hope will take place at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Taylors Falls, MN at a later date due to the current virus concerns. There will be a graveside service at 11AM on Saturday March 21^st with viewing half an hour prior starting at 10:30AM at the Franconia Cemetery.

Nancy Marie (Vercoe) Cross was born on July 17, 1929 in Flint, MI, the first child of Philip and Beatrice (Harlton) Vercoe.  She grew up in Flint, MI, and was baptized by her grandfather, Reverend George Vercoe, at the North Baptist Church, and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church.  She graduated from Flint Central High School where her father was the Principle. She then attended Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, MI where she met the Love of her life, Robert Cross, just back from WWII where he served in the .  They were married by her grandfather, Reverend George Vercoe, on August 30, 1949 at First Pres in Flint.

The many homes of Bob and Nancy in succession; Boston, MA for seminary as Bob was ordained a Protestant minister after graduating.  They welcomed their first two children here.  Bob then answered his first call to a Baptist church in Antrim, NH where they had their next 3 children – losing Lincoln at 3 days.  Bob was then called to Flint, MI and the First Presbyterian church, as associate pastor.  They added 7 children in their 10 years in Flint including 4 by adoption. Next was a move to Minneapolis in 1969 where Bob worked with alcoholics.  It was in the next few years that the Holy Spirit led all 13 into The Catholic Church. Nancy’s devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, was very instrumental in this conversion of her family and husband.  All 13 taking their First Communion on Christmas eve 1971.  5 years later Robert was ordained as a Permanent Deacon, and Nancy was amazed to see her husband on the altar assisting the Bishop .

They moved to Taylors Falls, MN, Colman, SD, Manistique, MI, and to St Croix Falls, SD, and 6 months ago to New Hope Assisted Living.   Nancy not only was a wonderful homemaker and raised 11 children. She wrote numerous books and published magazine articles evangelizing her Catholic Faith.  They can be found on CatholicDiagramTeacher.com, where she has her Bible study covering the entire Bible.  She is published in Spiritual Journeys where she shared her Conversion story.  Nancy painted, gardened, made icons, hooked numerous rugs for the 11 children.  Her love for family experiences led to 3 traditions; The Farm in Miltown,WI, Cross Christmas for our family of 140+ at numerous camps over 35 years , and our Lake home in Manistique.  Family and Faith were her legacy.

Nancy died on Monday March 16^th, with her loving husband, Robert, of 70 1/2years at her side.  She died peacefully surrounded by her family after complications from a fall that morning. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert of New Hope, MN.  Children; Barbara (Patrick) Verly of Marshall, MN and family,  Martha (Steven) Jacobson of Dresser, WI and family, Paula (William) Tomlinson of New Hope and family, Philip Cross of Lindstrom, MN and family,  Jerry Kieckhoefer (Mary died in 1986)( Cathy) of Somerset, WI and family,  James (Elaine) Cross of Glencoe and family,  Cheryl (Kevin) Odland of Minneapolis and family, Daniel (Angela) Cross of St Paul, MN and family,.  Alan (Cheryl) Cross in Apple Valley, MN and family,  Bruce (Julie) Cross of Minneapolis and family.  Carol Cross and family of Dresser, WI, 34 grandchildren and 58 Great – grandchildren,  Brother Paul Vercoe of Sierra Vista, AZ, 5 nieces and 5 nephews

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Beatrice Vercoe, sister, Bethany Zabrowski, brother-in-law, Joseph Zabrowski. Daughter, Mary Kieckhoeffer, and son, Lincoln Cross.   Also Dale and Joanne Dorn, parents of the 4 adopted children.

My dad and brother, Dan, at mom's bedside on March 16,2020.  4 of us were there with mom and dad and the other 7 called to say their final goodbyes - "Thanks mom for love and for life!"  I was a river of tears!  

Another beauty of my mom in her college days.  

Thanks to Covid shut down we had to have her funeral and wake in the cold cemetery.  With two of my brothers, Dan and Philip.  

Maria and her two girls with the photo screen that they gifted to me.  Maria's family arrived yesterday afternoon for some farm and family time.

Family rosary to begin our day together.  

Two of our 3 little boys that all will be 5 in a couple weeks - March 26 when Jude joins Hector and George.  It was fun to see the two boys together and Birdie is a friend to the 3 boys too as she is just a year younger.  

Buddy cousins for life...

Pasta night at the farm for our Lenten supper together on Friday.

9 year old Romeo loves his pasta.

A table full of grandkids - 17 with Ruth and Maria's 7 and John's 3.  It was kind of crazy and loud until the food was ready...

Tom and Maggie are both 2 and are fun to watch share time together.  We tell Maggie that she needs to teach Tom how to talk.  

Friends and cousins for life along with Regina, who is also 2 and just a month younger than Tom.  We love our groups of cousins!  

I am off to a Gala fundraiser in Delano at St Maximilian School for our grandkids.  Tomorrow I am off to Kansas with my military family for Therese Birthday and David's Confirmation on Tuesday.  The Family time never ends and fills my cup to overflowing.

"No man ever spoke like this man!"  From John 7 in the Gospel today.  

How Jesus fills us The Truth that will set us Free!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barbara and the 33 plus many little Sisters and Little Brothers.