Peter A. Gress
January 1, 1970 ~ April 6, 2009
Peter Antone Gress resided at Elim Care in Fargo but was recently evacuated to the Good Samaritan in Bottineau due to the spring flood; he passed away there Monday, April 6, 2009.
Peter was born September 29, 1911, to John and Frances (Hatzenbuhler) Gress in Sweet Briar, ND, where his parents ran a general store. The family later moved to Golden Valley, where Peter played basketball for, and graduated from, high school.
Peter received an accounting degree from the Detroit Business School in 1939 and spent the next 45 years working in ND for the Grain Terminal Association (GTA), first as a field-man and then as the Regional Office Manager until retirement.
Peter married Dorene Marion Rey September 28, 1940, at Burnstad, ND. In 1944, they settled in Edgeley, where Dorene taught school. They and their three sons also spent six years in Dickinson before moving to Fargo in 1962. Peter and Dorene loved playing Bridge and won several tournaments together. Dorene passed away unexpectedly in May 1976.
As a member of Toastmasters, Peter served as president, in Dickinson, and asst. president for Western ND. He also belonged to the Elks, Eagles, Optimist Club, and Holy Spirit and Holy Cross Catholic Churches. He enjoyed sports, hunting, fishing and horseback-riding.
Peter married Helen (Hanson) Frederick on November 27, 1976. They enjoyed traveling, socializing and playing golf. Helen died in December 2006. Also preceding him in death were six siblings and six step-siblings (Weisgerber).
His friends and family will remember Peter for his sense of humor, his love of music and playing harmonica, and for the hugs he loved to give and receive.
He is survived by sons, Daryl (Betty), Hot Springs Village, AR; Spencer (Sandy), Henderson, NV; Roger (Merry Helm), Fargo; ten grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He also leaves two step-children, Greg (Connie) Frederick, West Fargo, and Rebecca (Jack) Wood, Fargo, and their children and grandchildren.
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