Geraldine Gerri L. Grandt

Geraldine Grandt, lovingly known as Gerri to her family and friends, peacefully passed away on May 14, 2025, at the age of 101. She was born on June 13, 1923, in Chicago to the late David and Selma (née Fockett) Marr. In her early years, Gerri rode the train into downtown Chicago, where she worked at a department store—marking the beginning of a long life filled with dedication, family, and community.

Gerri met the love of her life, the late Roger Grandt, at the Arlington Roller Rink. They were married on May 13, 1950, and spent more than 60 wonderful years together, building a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories with their beloved family and friends.

Gerri was a devoted and busy mom to two energetic boys and a cherished daughter. The family often went camping with close friends, creating lasting memories together in the great outdoors.

Gerri cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren. She created a beloved tradition of taking them shopping each year for school clothes and on their birthdays. Gerri had a deep love for the holidays — especially Christmas, when she delighted in filling the tree with gifts for her family. At Easter, she brought joy with her signature touches: lamb-shaped butter, a lamb-shaped coconut cake, and green jelly — all of which sparked laughter as the grandkids playfully fought over who got to decapitate the lambs first. These joyful traditions will always be remembered.

Gerri became a soft-hearted and affectionate great-grandma when her great-grandchildren arrived. She loved snuggling them and took great joy in simply watching them play.

Together, Roger and Gerri owned and operated Grandt’s Super Shell Gas Station. Gerri managed the business office from their home in Arlington Heights, where she continued to live independently until the remarkable age of 98.

Roger and Gerri loved to travel, and some of Gerri’s favorite stories to share reflected their adventurous spirit. In her 70s, she went white-water rafting in Alaska. While visiting Egypt, Roger was nearly kidnapped by three men on camelback. On a safari in South Africa, they were charged by an elephant. They also enjoyed once-in-a-lifetime trips to Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Hawaii, along with cherished annual visits to Door County and Michigan to spend time with family.

Many of Gerri’s most cherished memories were made through her active involvement at St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in Arlington Heights. As a devoted young mother, she volunteered in the school cafeteria, supported the Parent-Teacher League, and served on various planning committees. As her children grew, Gerri continued to serve her church community—helping organize Couple’s Club events and participating as an auxiliary member of the Lutheran Laymen’s League, where she was always ready to help with the church’s well-known turkey dinner. Gerri also gave generously of her time as a volunteer at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights for 25 years. She faithfully delivered mail, pushed the candy and book carts to residents, and served in the café, always offering a warm smile and kind word to those around her.

Gerri was a founding member of the Mission Commission at St. Peter, who helped found and build St. Peter Lutheran Church, Middleburg, South Africa 37 years ago. This church gave birth to other satellite churches, where pastors were sent to seminary to study, along with being able to provide Christ-centered education to children.

Her faithfulness to the Lord was a quality worth admiring. Gerri’s deep faith and trust in God helped her push boundaries and take risks in helping to start the church.

She was a loving mother to the late David (Christine) Grandt, Craig (Deborah) Grandt, and Tracey (George) Surprenant; cherished grandma to Scott Grandt, Todd (Mah Sa) Grandt, Nicole (Todd) Hodges, Mandy (Chris) Grissom, Ashley (Steve) Hubbell, Allison (James) Gill, Jessica (fiancé Mike Doss) Surprenant, and Grant (Danielle) Surprenant; and fond great grandma to Dylan, Brooke, Ayla, Emma, Kate, Jake, Vaughn, Addison, Brody, Evelyn, Harper, Cami, Morgan, Georgia, Elliotte, and Kannon; fond aunt to the late Charles Grandt, William Grandt, and James Grandt; and loving god-mother of Denise Reid.

She will also be remembered with love by her chosen family from South Africa: the late Mandla Khumalo, his wife Lindiwe Khumalo and children Muzi Khumalo and Buzi Khumalo.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that a donation be made in her name to the St. Peter Endowment Fund.

A visitation will be on Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 3:00 – 8:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. On Friday, May 23 there will be a visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. The funeral service will follow at St. Peter Lutheran Church at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Arlington Heights, IL