Dorothea “Dot” M. Grate, 92, of Sun City, Huntley, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 in Bartlett.
She was born April 24, 1923 in Chicago, the daughter of Jerome and Sigrid Othelia (Stenersen) Medal. She was raised in Maywood and received her Bachelor’s in Music from Cornell College. She continued her studies under the direction of Robert Browning at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. She was united in marriage to Kendall E. Grate on July 22, 1978. The couple made their home in Wood Dale and Dot taught music in elementary schools for the Chicago Public Schools for over 30 years. In 2004 Dot and Ken moved to Huntley. She was a member of Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, an excellent seamstress, knitter, bowler and card player. Dot and Ken enjoyed many social events, dinners and evenings with their close friends and neighbors.
She is survived by her son, Terrance, her daughter, Cathy, Kendall’s son, Daniel and his daughters, Mary (Mike), Patti (Ken), Laura, Deb & Suzie (Mike), 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Kendall and two grandchildren, Kristy and Michael.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9th at the DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley, and on Tuesday, November 10th from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the 11:00 a.m. funeral service at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, 10805 Main Street, Huntley. Entombment will be in Mt. Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst.
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Cathy, I pray for you as you move through these next few days. May God's presence be near and comforting to you. And may the love of family and friends bring joy in this sad time. You have been so faithful through your stepfather's death and your mother's grieving and decline. God bless you! Pastor Ginn