Marge Grosz

Marge Grosz, 62, Bismarck, died September 25, 2008, at a Garrison hospital with her daughter, Brenda, at her side. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at Church of the Ascension, 1825 S. 3rd Street, Bismarck, with Bishop Paul Zipfel, Rev. Marvin Klemmer, and Rev. William Cosgrove officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service in Bismarck and from 6:00 - 9:00 PM at Church of the Ascension where a vigil service will be held at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. Margaret “Marge” Grosz was born on April 7, 1946, in Valley City, ND, the daughter of Albert G. and Elsie Pfeifer Steiner. She was raised in Kenmare, ND, where she graduated from high school. She attended the University of North Dakota for a year and while continuing her career in the community, completed her education at the University of Mary with a B.A. in communications and theology in 1998. Marge’s career in journalism and communication began with The Herald Press in Harvey, ND, where she worked from 1966 to 1984. During this time she was involved with the Harvey Chamber of Commerce as vice-president and served as executive director of Harvey Area Economic Development Inc. from 1987 to 1990. She also served as president of the North Dakota Chamber of Commerce Executives in 1985. In 1990 Marge began her career with the Diocese of Bismarck, a place where she loved the people, the work and serving God and the priests in the diocese. Beginning as clerical coordinator, two years later she assumed the position of editor of the diocesan monthly newspaper, the Dakota Catholic Action, a responsibility she held until her death. During her tenure with the Diocese, she also served as the director of the Office of Publications and Promotions and director of the Pro-Life Office until July 2008. Marge was involved in a variety of diocesan activities and events, many of which she had been instrumental in organizing and for which she served as chairperson. These include the diocesan Eucharistic Congress in 2000 and the 10th anniversary celebration for Bishop Paul A. Zipfel in 2007. Her most recent diocesan project was the conceptual development, research and writing of Perseverance in Faith, a 230 page book in celebration of the diocesan centennial to be celebrated in June 2010. The book, now in the process of production, contains hundreds of photographs and historical vignettes and details the history of the Diocese of Bismarck. Marge served as editor for the Kenya Connection, the quarterly publication of the diocesan African Mission, and editor of the Broken Arrow, the quarterly publication of the Catholic Indian Mission on the Standing Rock Reservation. She also assisted diocesan office directors with the writing and design of brochures and other printed office materials that were published for the various ministries. Throughout her life, Marge tirelessly served her community and the State of North Dakota. She was chairperson of the Fargo Diocese Catholic Youth Convention, co-chairman of Harvey’s 75th Jubilee, and of the Wells County Centennial, along with countless other community involvements. She also held offices with the North Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs and was editor of their magazine. Through it all, she was a light to those around her, carrying an optimism and loving attitude to her work and most importantly to her family. She will always be loved and deeply missed. Marge is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Mike Heitkamp of Bismarck, ND; her son and daughter-in-law, Curtis and Julie Grosz of Eau Claire, WI; her sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Jimmy Borgen of Minot, ND; and her grandchildren, Danielle and Michael Heitkamp of Bismarck, ND, and Kayla, Tyler, and Dylan Grosz of Eau Claire, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Marge Grosz

April 7, 1946 - September 25, 2008