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Gross, Dorothy Bercu, 1917-2015

 Person

Biography

Naomi Dorothea (Dorothy) Bercu was born June 14, 1917 in Douglas, Wyoming. Her father George Bercu owned the Chicago Hide, Fur and Wool Company in Douglas and in Denver. He married Olive Mistachkin and the couple became parents of Dorothy (1917-2015), Harryette (1918), Robert (1919), Bernard (1921), and Berverly (1935). From 1925-1928, Dorothy and Harryette danced on the Orpheum Vaudeville circuit around the west. They were later joined by Bob and Bernard and the whole troupe performed from New York City to Juarez, Mexico. The sisters also danced from 1936 to 1939. Dorothy attended the University of Utah in Ogden, Utah beginning in 1930 at the age of sixteen. She started a theatrical booking agency in Salt Lake City and taught dancing. Dorothy married Norman Gross in 1941 after he had signed up for her dance class. They raised three children, Valerie (Schreiber), Gary, and Dennis in Dallas, Texas. She also taught fitness classes. She died in Dallas in 2015.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Bercu Sisters Records, between 1925-1936

 File
Identifier: B356.01.0003.0016
Abstract

The file contains a "Bercu Sisters" business card, a 1934 program, a telegram and two letters, and a contract. Dorothy and Harryette Bercu were vaudeville performers in the 1920s and 1930s. The 1934 program, the telegram and a letter are from Hotel Ben Lomond in Ogden, Utah.

Dates: between 1925-1936

Box 24, 1940-1997

 File — Box B356.0024: Series B356.04 [Barcode: U186023251492]
Identifier: B356.04.0024
Abstract

The newspaper articles, photographs, objects and LP records illustrate the life of a Jewish family in the western United States. Some of the material is about Dorothy Bercu Gross who had been a Vaudville dancer and then was a fitness instructor. Her husband was a physician.

Dates: 1940-1997

New Year's Eve Frolic Menu and Program, 1934 December 31

 Item
Identifier: B356.01.0003.0016.00002
Abstract

New Year's Eve Frolic Menue and Program for the Hotel Ben Lomond in Ogden Utah. Dorothy and Harryette Bercu were dancers who performed on the Vaudeville circuit in the 1920s and 1930s. The cover is green and on the front is printed: "Happy New Year Hotel Ben Lomond New Year's Eve Frolic Menu and Program December 31 1934." There is a Dinner Dance Menu and the program which includes "Harryette and Dorthea Bercu, Acrobatic and Interpretive Soloists."

Dates: 1934 December 31