Caroline E. Bate

    Caroline E. Bate, of the Town of Grafton, passed away at her residence surrounded by her loving family in the morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. She was 73 years old.
    Caroline was born in Asbestos, Quebec, Canada, on Sept.13, 1946, the daughter of Dr. Bernard Elliott and Doris Barker Elliott.  
    On April 12, 1975, she married Rick Bate at St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Mequon.  
    Mrs. Bate had a lifelong love of sewing, and was known for making outfits for her sisters, quilts for babies, amazing Halloween costumes, including a friendly black cat and a Milwaukee Brewer, and clothes for Revolutionary War re-enactments.  
    She loved riding horses and met her husband, who helped her up after she took a fall, at a horse show.
    She was especially active, and anyone who tried to keep up with her would describe her walking pace as “competitive.”  
    After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she worked for the Grafton School District as an elementary school physical education teacher for 38 years, retiring in 2007. Her coworkers appreciated her helpfulness and thoughtfulness as she juggled changing locations and schedules with ease. Her students appreciated how she always saw the best in each of them and encouraged everyone to achieve just a little bit more.
    Caroline was a member of St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Mequon, where she taught Sunday school, served as an acolyte and was an active member of the Daughters of the King.  
    She is survived by her husband Rick of the Town of Grafton, and her sons Andrew (Sharon) Bate and Stuart (Pynteya) Bate, both of Atlanta, Ga., and Thomas Bate of Grafton, Wis.  
    Caroline is further survived by her grandchildren Elizabeth and Gianna Bate; and sisters Donna Gossett of Jamestown, Ohio, Patricia Trotter of Plymouth, Wis., and Janet (Warren) Shull of Hilton Head, S.C.; plus nieces; nephews; other relatives; and many friends.  
    In accordance with Caroline’s wishes, she will be laid to rest at the St. Boniface Episcopal Church Columbarium on Friday, Sept. 25.
    In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Boniface Episcopal Church or to the American Heart Foundation, where Caroline led the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser with her classes for many years.