Photo courtesy of Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth
Jul 8, 1938 - Dec 8, 2021 (Age 83)
May God bless and keep you in His care. So very, very sorry
Anita Collins
December 16, 2021 | FREELAND, MI | Friend
May Roger enjoy his "new adventures in heaven." And even share his "s adventures" & happiness by his prayers to our God of Goodness for all. Prayers and condolences to you Carol and family. For all that can be good for the Grates family & friends....we pray.
KEN/Nancy LERCZAK
December 16, 2021 | SAGINAW, MI
You and Roger shared so many good times, adventures, and hard times together. Bittersweet though they may be, what the memories holds will be cherished whenever there's a moment , an event, an item, or a quick thought that brings him back to you. So I can say after 25 year. Will add you both to my prayer list.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Elisa Denja
December 14, 2021 | Skokie, IL | Friend
Group of 10 Trees
Susan Fisher
December 14, 2021
Sorry for your family's loss. It has been many years since I was in choir with Carole at Blessed Trinity, and Bob was on the Parish Council with Roger. We always hear about how you are doing, from Connie & Rich Skoski.
Emma & Bob Huskins
December 13, 2021 | Auburn, MI | Acquaintance
My childhood memories are filled with times spent at the Grate’s home. It was such a warm and loving place to be. I was very saddened to hear of Mr. Grates passing as he was such a loyal and special friend to my family and so many others.
Ryan and I are thinking of you all during this difficult time. May you be comforted by one another and all of the special memories you share. ❤
Claire Roudebush
December 12, 2021 | Zionsville, IN | Friend
Roger was a tall, healthy, fun, incredible gentleman and it doesn't surprise me that he was able to overcome this horrible cancer for so many years .Fortunately he was married to a lovely tough broad who took excellent care of him. I have many great memories of all our get togethers many years ago and I thank the good Lord above for introducing me to so many fun, interesting people , along the way in my also 81 almost 82 yrs. of living on this earth. in 5 states
Kathleen Moore
December 12, 2021 | Stow, OH | Friend
A life well lived and so loved by family and friends. Beautiful and so many funny memories of the trip to Machu Picchu and the G. Islands and then more delightful stories up North. Can't help but smile, even laugh. Carole, you and Roger were a beautiful team. You were blesssed.
Pat Cryan
December 12, 2021 | Toledo, OH | Friend
I am truly sorry to learn about Mr. Grates. He was always kind to me and would share a story or two. I met him through Carrie, my college roommate and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Carrie, and your family during this difficult time. I am sorry for your loss.
Cheryl Matuszewski
December 12, 2021 | Frankenmuth, MI | Friend
Roger G. Grates
Frankenmuth, MI
Roger George Grates of Frankenmuth, Michigan passed away at his home surrounded by family on December 08, 2021 after a 23-year battle with breast cancer and succumbing to heart failure.
Roger was born to the late John L. and Beatrice S.C. (Van Damme) Grates on July 8, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Austin Catholic High School in Detroit (1956), he attended Michigan Technological University where he received a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering (1960) and a B.S. in Engineering Administration (1961). Roger went on to earn his MBA from Wayne State University (1968).
He married Carole Marie Harmon in January 1965 in Temperance, Michigan at Mount Carmel Catholic Church. They started their life together in the metro Detroit area before settling in Frankenmuth, which they have called home for over 50 years.
Roger began his career as a Process Engineer in the hearth plant on the charging floor at the Ford Motor Company Rouge Plant. He became interested and involved with computers in the mid-1960s, working with an internal group at Ford applying operations research techniques to existing problems within the company. While at Ford, Roger rose to Financial Analyst working on timeshare programs to improve efficiency within the company.
In 1970, he left Ford to become President of the Geyer Brothers Brewing Company in Frankenmuth. After leaving the brewery, Roger went on to become a Controller at Central Medical Services in Saginaw. He joined General Motors, A.C. Spark Plug Division, in 1973 as a Production Engineer applying operations research techniques to ensure timely startups of production within the division. Roger became a Senior Systems Analyst and then promoted to Supervisor of their ACCESS department before retiring in 1991.
After retirement, Roger pursued his dream of traveling to all 50 states and seven continents. He and Carole accomplished this dream with many adventures to share, such as experiencing an earthquake in Iceland, along with meeting new friends around the world. He especially loved wearing his Antarctica jacket so people would ask him about his trip. Roger enjoyed sharing his adventures with anyone who listened. One of his favorite stories entailed a ship they were aboard to Antarctica being damaged after hitting a rock spire in the Drake Passage, enduring 30-foot waves, while still being two days away from port.
Closer to home, Roger loved Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, visiting many of its waterfalls throughout his life. He enjoyed skiing, a sport he did well into his seventies, passing along his love of the sport to his children and grandchildren.
Roger was a devout Catholic and an active member of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church for many years. He served on the Parish Council in the early 1970s and, along with his wife, as chaperone and youth counselor with the teen youth groups. They both accompanied the youth groups on many retreats and ski trips.
Roger is survived by his wife, Carole; children, Eric (Nicole) Grates and Carrie (Kent) Johansson; foster daughters, Jeanne Guy and Kim (Eric) Bennett; five grandchildren, Mackenzie Grates, Shannon Grates, Keiran Grates, Aaron Amidon, and Cyndi Amidon; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, John L. Grates, Jr.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation and thanks to Patty Brown and Ann Marie Esssex for their love, kindness, and friendship as they stayed with Roger through many nights over the past year while he transitioned from his life here to his new adventures in heaven. They would also like to thank the Residential Healthcare Group’s palliative and hospice care nurses and staff for their excellent care, guidance, and support.
Funeral service will take place at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 13, 2021. Visitation will be on Monday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Due to COVID, there will not be a luncheon following the mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to Blessed Trinity Catholic Church.
Arrangements are entrusted to Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth. Please sign our guest book or share an online condolence with the family at www.cederbergfh.com.
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