Sterling Man Walt Edward Gross, 68, Dies Jan. 29; Obituary Dates Conflict

Walt Edward Gross, 68, a Sterling resident known for his work as a peer counselor and his artistic interests, died in late January 2026. Obituary postings on the funeral-home and national obituary platforms state, “Walt Edward Gross, 68, of Sterling passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026. Cremation has taken place and no services will be held.” One Chaney-Reager Funeral Home header displayed the date January 27, 2026; the majority of the detailed obituary text across platforms lists January 29. Family or funeral-home confirmation is advised to resolve that discrepancy.

Walt was born on September 5, 1957, in Deadwood, South Dakota to Edward Henry and Julia Ann (Beardshear) Gross. He received his GED in 1976 and attended National College in Rapid City and earned his associate’s degree in veterinary technology. Walt served in the Army National Guards for 6 years from 1977-1983.

Professionally and in the community, Walt worked for Centennial Mental Health as a peer counselor for many years. The obituary notes, “He was very proud of being able to assist those in need.” That line underscores his role supporting local mental-health clients and the informal safety net he provided in Logan County through peer support work.

Beyond his counseling, Walt had a creative side: “Walt was a very talented artist and he loved to draw. He enjoyed sharing his drawings with his family and friends. He also enjoyed working on a family tree and looking up history on the internet.” Those pursuits and his long-standing ties to family in the area are reflected in the obituary’s lists of survivors and predeceased relatives.

The obituary lists those who preceded him in death: his parents Edward Henry and Julia Ann Gross; brothers Mike, Wind, and Donny Gross; sister Wilma Gross; grandparents Fred and Zoe Gross, Eral and Anglina Urness and Walt Beardshear; and niece Angela Whitman. Walt is survived by his sister Wanda (Chuck) Whitman of Padroni, CO; nieces Annie (Brandon) Winters, Jenny (John) Hornby and Kellie Gross; nephews Chris Gross and Bradley (Jill) Whitman; great-nieces and great-nephews Bradley III, Evan and Jaxson Whitman, Jordan, Nate and Autumn Winters, and Holly and Britny Gross; and his sister-in-law Helen Gross.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Halouska Family Chaney-Reager Funeral Home and Crematory - Sterling. The funeral-home address listed in the obituary material is 443 South 2nd Street P.O. Box 1046, Sterling, CO 80751. The obituary pages include an active guestbook and memorial options; one posting showed “Visits: 387,” and readers may leave memories, send flowers, plant a tree, light a candle, or leave condolence messages (500-character limit) through the funeral-home or obituary pages.

For Logan County residents, Gross’s death represents the loss of a longtime peer counselor who worked directly with people facing mental-health challenges and a neighbor known for sharing art and family histories. With cremation completed and no public services planned, watch for any family notices of private memorials or additional tributes coordinated through the Chaney-Reager Funeral Home.