Carol Lillian Groesser

TRAVERSE CITY — Carol Lillian Groesser passed away at Munson Medical Center on Sept. 15, 2008, at the age of 92. She was known as "Ma" or "Grandma" by her large family who loved her dearly. She will be sorely missed and always remembered.

She was born in Suttons Bay on March 24, 1916, the seventh child of Fred and Emma (Jern) Schrader. Carol walked to Suttons Bay public schools and graduated from Suttons Bay High School in 1934. She married the late Gerald Groesser of Suttons Bay in 1936, where they continued operation of the Schrader farm and raised four children. She fully participated in planting and harvesting crops and raising animals; she particularly loved their horses and collie dogs. She handpicked seasonal fruit crops and cleaned cottages to help support the family until their move to Traverse City in 1965.

Carol was a member of the Suttons Bay Congregational Church from her childhood to 1965; was Secretary of the Maple Grove Cemetery Association for many years; was an active participant in the West Bay Covenant Church from 1965 to present; served as a volunteer with the American Red Cross; and was employed by the Traverse City State Hospital from 1968 to 1979.

Her children, Rodney and Duane of Traverse City, Charlene Jackson of Kingsley, and Joyce Welt of Brunswick, Maine, survive her; as do 14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Her grandson, Ronnie, predeceased her in March 1970.

Throughout her life, she maintained an avid interest in vegetable and flower gardening and sold excess prize raspberries to local supermarkets. She diligently endeavored to pass along to her family by example the values of selflessness, doing one's best, helping others, conservation of the environment, and moderation and appreciation for all things. She personified the philosophy of "waste not, want not."

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, at the West Bay Covenant Church in Traverse City, with the Rev. Richard Rabine officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Burial will be at the Keswick Maple Grove Cemetery, Suttons Bay.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the West Bay Covenant Church in her memory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Traverse City Chapel of Covell Funeral Homes.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.