Agnes Amanda Cross

Growing up on the 30 acre farm in Washington State that her grandfather Andrew Lund homesteaded, little Aggie as a girl climbed apple and cherry trees in the orchards, was a picker in the strawberry and blueberry fields, and loved swimming in the Chehalis and Black rivers, as well as Scatter Creek which ran through their acreage.

Her degree in nursing led to her becoming a surgical nurse at Tacoma General in Washington state and Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, Oregon.

Aggie and Allen Cross were married in February 1957, spent their early years in Eugene, Oregon and then moved to Salem in 1961 when Al landed the job as Head Golf Professional at Illahe Hills Country Club. In those days, being a club golf professional was a self-employed affair. Aggie played a key role in running the family business as head accountant, merchandiser, and Al's behind the scenes woman of action. Through the years as a golf pro's wife, she excelled at golf, winning multiple tournament championships and earning the appropriate nickname, "One Putt Aggie" for her incredible skill on the golf course with her putter.

With so many talents, – beyond the golf accomplishments – she was an avid swimmer and synchronized swimmer, dabbled in painting, authored many short stories, and published the book, "Golf Tales Through the Eye of a Caddie", which was illustrated by her talented sister Martha. She instilled her ever-lasting can-do attitude in her children and everyone that was blessed to have her mentorship.

Aggie and Al celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary weeks before her passing. Survivors include her husband Allen Cross (Salem OR), brother Fred Fosnacht (Michelle) (Portland, Maine), children Thomas Cross (Diane) (Tualatin, OR), Julie Massa (Darryl) (Pentwater, MI), Joanne Cross (Tim) (Salem, OR), her five grandchildren: Megan Schuchardt (Dan), Maddi Cluskey (Mike), Jason Cross (Stephanie), Mariah Hanson (Troy), Nicholas Cross (Michele), and two great-grandchildren. Aggie is predeceased by her parents Francis Clinton and Agnes Maria Fosnacht.

Aggie was incredibly spiritual. As a young girl of ten, she would ride her bike to Sunday service at the Methodist church in her small town by herself with her berry-picking money in hand to give to the offering. As a young mother she was a Sunday school teacher at the Presbyterian church in the 1960's and 70's. After years of extended religious studies, she was a participating minister at the Woodland Chapel in Salem, Oregon. She always saw the good in others, freely giving an endless well of kindness, always looking at people through the eyes of God and with a pure heart. Her greatest wish is that we live our lives by loving one another and honoring everyone's unique reflections of God.

A Celebration of Life will be held in late Spring. Details will be placed on Howell, Edwards, Doerksen Funeral Home website.