Frank L. Gruss

Frank Lawrence Gruss, 67, of Palm Springs, California, formerly of Greenfield, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023, after a valiant year-long fight with complications of lung cancer. His companion of 32 years, Sid Pearce, was at his side.

Frank was born Nov. 5, 1955, to Vincent and Kathleen (Jennings) Gruss in Greenfield. He graduated from Greenfield High School and later moved to and worked in Des Moines. Frank married Nancy Lamb of Greenfield June 17, 1978. Although they later divorced, Frank and Nancy remained friends and together raised their children, Tony and Trisha, and his beloved granddaughter, Audrey. Frank retired from the US Postal Service in 2017 after 31 years of service and moved to Palm Springs, California, with Sid. Frank loved his desert home and the many dear friends he and Sid made along the way.

Frank was a good, kind and gentle man. He was a light-hearted, free spirit, loved his kids and family, never attended a party he didn’t like, lit up every room he entered and was loved by all. He is and will forever be sorely missed.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his companion, Sid Pearce; two children, Tony and Trisha Gruss of Des Moines; granddaughter, Audrey Gruss of Van Meter; siblings, Chuck (Patty) Gruss, Dennis (Peggy) Gruss, Judy Gruss Jensen and Ron (Linda) Gruss, all of West Des Moines, John (Sally) Gruss of Greenfield, Phyllis (Lynn) Chesnut of Hopkinton, Greg (Teri) Gruss of Kansas City, Missouri, and Carole Gruss of Napa, California; many cousins, nieces and nephews and their families.

A Celebration of Life will be held 5-9 p.m. April 29 at the American Legion Post 403 Veterans Reception Center, 910 Main Street in Van Meter. A second Celebration of Life will be held in the fall in Palm Springs.

For those desiring to honor Frank’s life with a donation, please consider donating to FIND Food Bank (www.findfoodbank.org) in Frank’s name.

Rest in peace dear Frank.