Francis J. Gress

Francis J. Gress, 98, of Axtell, KS, passed away July 31, 2014 at Life Care Center in Seneca, KS. He lived his life fully with great love and devotion to family, friends, and his community, kindness, and with a great sense of humor. The rosary was recited at 7 p.m., Friday, August 1, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Axtell. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 2, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Father Albert Hauser officiated. Kathy Buessing played the organ while the choir sang “Gather Us In”, “Prayer of St. Francis”, “Be Not Afraid” and “Amazing Grace”. The pallbearers were Bill Gress, Bob Gress, Bruce Gress, Russ Morton, Bryan Grove and Bob McKinley. Burial was in St. Michael’s Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Axtell American Legion Post. Francis was born on a farm northeast of Vermillion, KS, on March 26, 1916, the oldest of three sons of Lawrence and Rose Rochel Gress. He attended country school District #120 for his eight grade school years. He attended Sts. Peter & Paul in Seneca his first year of high school, then completed high school at St. Michael’s in Axtell, graduating in 1933. On April 21, 1941, he married Marjorie Grove of Axtell. In December, 1942, he was inducted into the Army and was assigned to the 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He was discharged in May, 1943 due to a back injury received in night maneuvers. In May, 1944, he became manager of Meyer Lumber & Hardware in Axtell and retired from that position in April, 1979. Soon after that he entered into the woodcraft business. He was very successful in that and in 1993 sold his business “Woodcraft Plus” to a firm in Clay Center, KS. Francis and Marjorie enjoyed 50 years of marriage and 2 sons were born: Warren of Parker, CO, and Stan of Derby, KS. He was active in the Boy Scout program and was the advisor of the Explorer Post in Axtell. He served on the Axtell City Council for many years. He was a life long member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and a member of the local American Legion Post since 1943. His first wife, Marjorie, died in 1992 after a long illness. In 1994, he married Marvelyin Durkes of Axtell. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marjorie, and two brothers, Martin Gress of Nebraska City and Bert Gress of Axtell. He is survived by his wife, Marvelyin, two sons, Warren (Carolyn) of Parker, CO, and Stan (Margie), of Derby, KS, one granddaughter, Jill Vuolo (Greg), and two great-grandchildren, Josie and Max Vuolo, all of Lakewood, CO. The family is very grateful to all of the wonderful people at Life Care Center of Seneca for the loving care they provided to Francis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or St. Michael’s School and sent in care of the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home, 205 4th St., Axtell, KS 66403. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis J. Gress, please visit our flower store.