Inez J. Gross

Born to John Emil Furst and Hannah Furst (nee Leif), of Finland on May 17, 1924, Inez graduated from Alabaster High School in Michigan in 1943. She earned a Business Degree from the Bay City Business College in 1944.

Inez worked for the US Department of the Navy during WWII and for the Carborundum Company. She resided in Niagara Falls from 1945 to 1957 and relocated to Wilson, New York where she lived from 1957 to 1989. She came to Indian River County in 1989 and remained there for the rest of her life.

Inez grew up in rural Michigan, the last of 6 children. Her parents were farmers and as the youngest it was her job to drive the hay wagon as the older kids helped load the hay. She was a star basketball player on the high school team long before Title IX arrived.

A single mother for a while, she worked her entire adult life and retired from Carborundum Company in Niagra Falls, NY.

She was a valued volunteer at Sebastian River Medical Center for almost 20 years. She was an avid and skilled bowler in her younger years.

Inez was a founding member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sebastian. She was part of the church quilting group. They made hundreds of quilts over the years that were sent to underserved areas in South America.

Inez will be greatly missed by her adoring family.