Helen Joan Veach

Helen Joan Veach (Hennes, Gross), age 91, passed away July 16, 2026. She is now at peace after living gracefully with a short illness and end-stage dementia. She was born on January 6th, 1935, and raised and educated in Des Lacs, ND. She graduated from Des Lacs High School in 1952 and married her high school sweetheart, Leon T. Hennes, on October 21, 1953.

They moved to Riverdale, ND, in 1956, where they worked and raised their three children. Joan was active in church and community service clubs, her children’s school activities, and sports. She was a wonderful homemaker and worked various part-time jobs through the years, at the TV shop, grocery store, Legion Club, and school cafeteria, to name a few. Most notable was her time with the McLean County library, where she also worked on the Book Mobile. Joan was always devoted to her immediate and extended family and hosted memorable holidays and birthdays. Leon died suddenly on November 14, 1993, at the age of 59. Joan then moved to Minot to live with and care for her mother, Helen Veach, until her passing. She later married Martin “Marty” Gross on August 27, 1999, and they lived in their townhome in Minot for 18 years. Marty passed away in 2016. Joan lived well and independently until 2020. She moved to Sheridan, Wyoming, to be closer to daughter, Cathy. She initially lived in a senior living facility before needing care related to dementia. She then had hip surgery in 2024, and the resulting disability required a long-term care facility (Green House Living in Sheridan), where she resided until her natural death.

Joan’s life was defined by her service to others and her ability to get family and friends together with good food and lively conversation. She was happy with the simple things in life, like playing with the kids and grandkids, getting her hair done, a shopping trip to the mall, and/or a good cup of coffee. She received great joy in raising her family, spending time with extended family in Des Lacs and at the lake, and visits to and from her sister Darlene and brother Don. She shared many stories about herself in the years she cared for her mother and her second family with Marty. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and Little Flower Church, where she and Marty alternated Sundays. They also enjoyed the Eagles Club, BE, NAARF, and the Good Sam Camping Club.

She shared her life with sister Darlene Wilkes, brother Donald Veach, sons Steven Hennes (wife Jill) and Michael Hennes (wife Pamela). Daughter, Cathy Parishand her (husband, Rick Parish; grandchildren Jay, Jesse, Erin, Kelsey, Jennifer, Thomas, Laura, Kyle, and Laine. She also enjoyed her 8 great grandchildren and stepchildren in the Gross family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Helen Veach; her brother, Donald Veach; her first husband, Leon Hennes; her second husband, Martin Gross; and granddaughter Erin Hennes.

A service will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. In the Champion Kane Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Jim Barth officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the First Presbyterian Church of Sheridan, WY, or to the Alzheimer’s association.

Online condolences may be written at https://www.kanefuneral.com/. Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.