Elizabeth Ann Grates

Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Grates, March 18, 1927 – March 14, 2026
Betty passed quietly in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 14, 2026, after a long battle with dementia.
She was a very strong and kind woman who would do anything for friends or family.
Betty met the love of her life, Albert, 85 years ago in their hometown of Harbor Beach, Michigan; she and Albert
were married July 22, 1950, and bought a home and raised their four children in Redford, Michigan.
Betty is survived by her devoted husband Albert; children Tim (Dawn) and Fred (Lisa); grandchildren Amy (Chris)
Garlacz, Jamie (Cam), Bruce (Katie), Lindsay (Bill) Brown, Christian, Nicole (Dan) Blacker, and Jenna (Antonio);
great-grandchildren Violet, Noah, Landen, Lucas (Raby), Allison (Garlacz); great-great grandsons Bill (Brown), and
Beckett (Blacker); brother Larry (Brenda), sister-in-law Marilyn (Bruce); and many nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Eva (nee Hunter) Hagedon; beloved children Michael and
Kathleen/Kathy; siblings and in-laws Jean Erb, George (Doris), James/Jimmy (Delores), Ralph (Marie), Jack
(Doreen), Bruce, Susan (Walter Stanke), and Charles (Doris).
After graduating from Harbor Beach High School, Betty traveled to Iowa to learn to be a Teletype Operator.
Upon completing her training, she secured a job at Wright-Patterson Air Base in Ohio, where she put her
teletype skills to work in service of her country. She eventually moved back to Michigan and got a Teletype
Operator job at the first Ford automotive plant in Hazel Park. After the children got older, Betty worked for a
time as a switchboard operator, and later in the Billing Department, at Botsford Hospital in Farmington.
Betty's faith played an important part in her life. She and Albert helped the community raise money for the
creation of St. Hilary Catholic Church (and elementary school) in Redford and, in 1954, they were proud
founding members of the church/school. At that time, she would have been surprised to know how many, many,
MANY Hot Dog Lunches, Pancake Breakfasts, Spaghetti Dinners, and Polish Dinners there would be in her future.
For nearly 60 years Betty was an active member of the Altar Society as well as various ladies’ clubs and volunteer
organizations associated with St. Hilary.
There will be no funeral services at this time. The family plans to honor Betty with a private celebration of her
life in Harbor Beach this summer at a Family Reunion. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests a
donation to the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association in Betty's name.

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