Helen A. Gross, 79, of De Soto died Feb. 28, 2026, in St. Louis. For many years, Mrs. Gross worked as a library secretary at Vineland Elementary, where she was known as a familiar and comforting presence and nurtured students' curiosity and love of reading. She will be remembered for her dedication, warmth and silliness, and for showing that kindness and laughter belong together and that there is always room for joy. She loved traveling, spinning wool, knitting, raising animals, watching St. Louis Cardinals Baseball and tending to her garden. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Born July 24, 1946, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Woldemar Schlaegel and Helen (Hoeltge) Schlaegel.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years: Michael Gross of De Soto; a daughter: Rebecca (Eric) Buehl of Imperial; three sisters: Marilyn Haggerty of Creve Coeur, Nancy Scotino of St. Louis and Deborah (Thomas) Hermann of St. Louis; a sister-in-law: Sandra Schlaegel of Dallas, Texas; two grandchildren: Sydney Buehl of Imperial and Mason Buehl of Imperial; and many other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by a brother: Woldemar “Wally” Schlaegel; and a brother-in-law: Thomas Haggerty.
Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. Friday, March 6, at Mahn Funeral Home, 900 N. Main St., in De Soto, officiated by Pastor Ryan Sutton. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 11433 Olde Cabin Road, Creve Coeur, 63141, or by visiting alz.org. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Funeral Home.