Alvin Gross

Memorial services will be held at Butler Volland Funeral Home on Wednesday, February 21, 2:00 P.M. Private family burial will be in the Parkview Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children in Minneapolis-St. Paul or to the First Methodist Church. No viewing or visitation.

Mr. Gross was born on March 23, 1915 in Burwell, Nebraska to Julius & Mary Gross, where he was raised and graduated from the Burwell High School. He then commenced his business career at the Food Center grocery in Burwell. In 1937, he became manager of the Arnold, Nebraska Food Center store, and in the same year he married Valda F. Malicky of Burwell.

In 1938, a move was made to York, Nebraska to manage the Food Center Super Market which was one of the first self service super markets in the state.

In 1941, Alvin was appointed as advertising manager and supervisor for the 14 Supermarkets supplied out of the Hasting, Nebraska distribution center which required a move to Hastings.

In 1943, he purchased part ownership in Food Centers, Inc. from the Cushing Grocery Company and was elected to its board of directors as Secretary-Treasurer, positions which he held until 1954 when the company was sold to Nash-Finch Co. of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This acquisition was Nash-Finch Company's first major ownership of retail supermarkets numbering 19 stores.

Alvin became Division manager of all Nash-Finch Company wholesale and retail operations for all of Nebraska and part time in Kansas for 30 years until his retirement in 1985. Upon his retirement there were over 100 affiliated and company owned grocery stores and super markets supplied by Nash-Finch Co. in the area for which he was responsible. Jerry Maurice, and executive of Nash-Finch Co. was Alvin's replacement upon his retirement.

Alvin served on the YMCA Board, President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1951, on the Official Board of the Methodist Church, Potentate of Tehama Shrine Temple in 1960, was interested in Hastings College and numerous other organizations in the community over the years. He was a 32 degree Mason, a member of the Midwest Lodge #50, and the Scottish Rite.

Preceeded in death by his parents Mary and Julius Gross, brothers Roland and Richard, his wife Valda, and his daughter Charlene.

He is survived by this son Dr. H. E. (Gene) Gross and his wife Inge Gross, two grandchildren Scott Warder and his wife Christina of Reston, Virginia and his great granddaughter Courtney and great grandson Michael; Wendy Warder of Silver Spring, Maryland and her 3 sons Sam, Max, and Eli.