A little over a week ago Greg had a set back with a prior illness and was put back in the hospital. Later this past week he was sent to KU Med.
Talking with Leanna today she said they are making a lttle progress, but still have a ways to before he is allowed to come home. Please keep Greg and his family in your prayers over the holiday's. I for one know it is no fun to spend the holiday's in the hospital.
So for the time being all wrestling items that Greg and Leanna handle, please forward to me and I will help you any way I can. I am so staying in contact with them on a daily basis. If you have sent a email or left a phone message in the last week give me a call.
Phone 913-426-0070
Email nprice@benedictine.edu
Have a safe Thanskgiving!
Ned Price
My thoughts and prayers are with all the Grater family!
Thanks to all who have sent us emails!! Greg has had another bout of pancreatitis but this time SEVERE! Today they put in a feeding tube just to help build his body back up.
The bad news is that he will be at KU Med Center at least another 2 weeks before they will do the procedure we thought we were coming down to have done!! Greg's love for hospitals is not good, but he's hanging in there!!
His address is:
Greg Grater
University of Kansas Hospital
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers because we need them!!
In wrestling love,
Leanna
My thoughts go out to the Grater family.
I jusat heard from a friend in Tulsa about his wife passing away after a short bout with an illness, cancer related. We should all be reminded of the need to share some love, and respect with each other. Leanna, Danny, Gavin, and especially Greg are in my prayers this evening.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Leanna, Danny, Gavin, and especially Greg. I hope he gets to come home soon
Any updates on Greg and the family, still in our prayers.
Just recieved a email from Leanna, and Greg is still making slow progress. They how that he is home by Christmas, So please everyone keep the Grater's in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season.
If there is anything questions or anything that I can help you with concerning wrestling. Please give me a call at 913-426-0070. Even when Greg comes home it will be a while before he is up and running at full speed. So please feel free to bug me.
Ned Price
Latest Update (12/06)
Greg is still at the KU Medical Center and they have not given us any timeline at this point when he will be able to come home. He is feeling better but still in some pain.
They continue to treat him conservatively and are trying to let the body and pancreas heal itself. He is still being fed thru an IV and receiving antibiotics. His vitals are remaining good so that is encouraging.
He has been a good patient up to this point, but is starting to get a LITTLE impatient!
He looks forward to receiving cards (address listed in earlier post) and also enjoys phone calls (913) 588-4119, even if it's just for a short time. He likes to keep up with the "wrestling world" at the different levels. Also, he truly enjoys the visits that some have made to the hospital.
Christmas wishes are that you keep the prayers coming Greg's way and that he is home with us soon!! It's starting to work a little on ALL of us!!
Leanna, Danny, and Gavin
Thanks for the info Leanna. I just spoke to Greg and he made mention of several people calling him. Agree that a phone call, card or something would be good.
I just had a call from Leanna. Greg is out of surgery but is no longer in the room previously listed on this forum. Please do not call or send cards to that address. I'm sure as soon as she knows something she will let all of us know his new address.
Just a quick update (12/17)
We are still at the KU Med Center and may be for some time to come. Greg had another surgery on Thursday, placing some drain tubes to help keep the fluid off his abdominal area and was on a ventilator for a couple days (they just took him off late this morning)). Things seems to be progressing very slowly and we have a lot of "complications" to get over each and every day.
Our doctor said at this point, it is up to Greg to help "fight" and we all know (and are praying) he can do it. He said it will also help for a lot of "prayers" to come his way.
I ask that everyone PLEASE keep us in their prayers in the weeks to come and we hope for a complete recovery!!
Season Greetings to all the Wrestling Family and we wish each of you the best in 2006!
Leanna, Danny & Gavin Grater
Good thoughts and prayers from the Deere family, all of us are pulling and praying for you!
Klint, Karis and kids
Leanna, You and yours, are never far from my thoughts and prayers.
The Grater's are in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season.
Dale, Karla, Garrett, Diana, and Deena Sharpe
I would like to wish you a merry chrismas and we are praying for Greg and his family and I hope to see you up and going again as soon as possible. Its always hard to have a freind sick and in this case Greg has done for wrestling in Kansas more than most people will ever know and after being around him and his wife we can only pray for a great person and from my family to his Thanks for all you have done. Tom Stone
Hiawatha Kansas
Greg Update (1/6)
This was not exactly how we wanted to start out 2006! For those who have not heard, Greg had emergency surgery on Monday, Jan. 2, to repair an artery that was bleeding extensively. Thank God for the nurse that noticed the problem and alerted the Docs because that is what saved his life!!
He is back in Surgical ICU at KU Med and at this time is still on the ventilator. His vitals are alright but once again, they are giving his body time to try and heal as they are keeping him somewhat sedated. This was VERY HARD for us to take as he had made such progress the last couple of weeks!
A big thank you to CCWC Board Members, CCWC Coaches, and CCWC club parents for taking over and helping out while Greg has been in the hospital. These individuals are one in a million!!
Thanks to all who have been keeping us in their thoughts and prayers.
Leanna, Danny & Gavin
Keep up the good fight Greg- you are in our thought and prayers
Of course if you need anything never hestitate to ask Grater family- you have helped so many-
Has anyone heard how Greg is doing within the last couple of weeks? I haven't been on in a while and would like to send out my thoughts and prayers to his family and everyone who is involved with him. Fight tough Greg. I'm sure you presence is missed greatly this wrestling season as you do so much not only with the CCWC Club but also with the state tournament too. GOD BLESS!!
1/25/06
At this point, Greg is stable and holding his own. However, he still has many health issues to overcome and is not out of woods yet. He is still in Surgical ICU and will be for some time to come.
I want to thank the wrestling family for everything they are doing for him and our family.
I ask that you keep him in your daily prayers until he is home and back on his feet. The power of prayer is what has gotten him to this point.
Again, THANK YOU!!!!!!
Leanna, Danny & Gavin Grater
Leanna,
I truly believe in the power of prayer also, and Greg is constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
Stay strong, and keep fighting!
Akin Family
I know there may not be much change in Greg's condition right now but...how is he doing? Is he still getting better? Staying the same? He is constantly in my prayers.
I just finished sending out emails requesting prayers for the Graters. I would ask that everyone remember this family, send out prayer requests for them and have others praying for them on a regular basis. I'll leave it at that for now, but will say, that I know Leanna and the boys would appreciate the prayers and support now more than ever.
March 02, 2006
Greg Grater's valiant efforts to overcome his illness came to an end this morning!
Please keep Leanna and the boys in your prayers?
When details on the services are available they will be posted!
This is a sad day reflecting on a wonderful man that gave so much to our sport. I'll miss seeing Greg at the tournaments with that hat on. Our prayers are with the family.
From all of us at Easton Rams Wrestling Club, We wish to send to your our deepest sympathy in your time of despair.
All of us have had Greg and your family in our prayers.
We will honor Greg at our tournament this weekend with a moment of silence to reflect on a well respected man.
Again, Our prayers go out to Leanna and the rest of the Grater family.
Easton Rams Wrestling Club
Manhattan mourns the loss of a truly great supporter of wrestling in the state. His leadership will be missed. Leanna, Danny & Gavin our thoughts and prayers are with you on this day.
Brad Johnson
MOKWC
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Leanna, Danny and Gavin. The success of Kansas wrestling is greatly due to Greg. He will be greatly missed.
Brian Schumacher
Hays Wrestling Club
I echo all the feelings for and about Greg.
Our best wishes and thoughts to Leanna and family.
Klint Deere and family
A truly great man! I cannot say enough to express my feelings for his contribution to the Kansas Wrestling youth. Greg will be missed and will never be forgotten. Leanna and kids be strong, for our hearts and prayers are with you.
Mark, LuAnn, Mike, Lindsey and Steve
Kansas Kids leader Greg Grater passed away on March 2
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
03/02/2006
Greg Grater of Green, Kan., a USA Wrestling’s Kids wrestling leader, passed away on March 2 reportedly from complications brought on by acute pancreatitis.
Along with his wife Leanna, Greg was named 2004 USA Wrestling Kids Person of the Year for all of his contributions to youth wrestling on the local, state and national levels.
“Greg was totally committed to providing the best opportunities possible for the youth interested in wrestling,” said USA Wrestling’s State Chairperson for Kansas Mike Juby. “I learned fairly quickly that he was a highly focused man who would not accept less than the best for the wrestlers of our state.”
The Graters served as tournament directors for the Kids/Cadet National Folkstyle Championships for six years (1998-2003) and the Southern Plains Regional for many years. Greg served as a Board Member on the Corporate Board of USA Wrestling Kansas and has served as the state’s Kids Director since 1998.
In 1985, Greg re-organized the Kansas Kids Freestyle/Greco-Roman camp held annually prior to the Southern Plains Regional. Gregory also held the offices of State Director Elect (1984), State Kids Director (1985) and State Tournament Director (1987-1998). He is a bronze-level certified coach.
In 1972, Greg founded the Clay County Wrestling Club, one of the state’s largest youth wrestling clubs. He remains as the Club Director and head coach.
Greg was selected as the USA Wrestling State Person of the Year in 1997, and Leanna was named the USA Wrestling State Person of the Year in 2002.
“Over the years, Greg's contributions to wrestling have extended from his Clay Center Club, beyond the state's borders, to affect wrestlers across the nation. Our loss is truly a loss for wrestling fans throughout the country.Wrestling has lost a great supporter, and I have lost a great friend. However, the foundations that he laid, and the accomplishments that he made possible, will live on,” said Juby.
USA Wrestling offers its sincere condolences to his family and friends and asks the wrestling community to keep his wife Leanna and the boys (Courtney, Jacob, Danny and Gavin) in their thoughts and prayers.
Additional information on arrangements and memorials will be provided when available.
The Edison's prayers are with the Grater's. Greg may have left his shoes on the mat today, but now he is coaching Gabriel to do a mean Russian Tie, just like Danny. With the way things are now a days, he is gonna need some new moves for "wrasslin" (that's what Greg always did)with the devil.
God Bless and may he grant peace to the Graters and all of Kansas Wrestling.
Ed, Jenni, Jarrett, Jordan, Erica and Erin Edison
I have work with Greg for more years than one likes to say. He was what took Kansas Wrestling to the next level. He will be missed by me and all the people of Kansas wrestling. It will be hard to think of wrestling in Kansas without thinking of Greg Grater. It is people around the state like Mr. Grater that makes me happy to say
I'm form Kansas and yes we Wrestle.
Steve and Julie Herman
My deepest sympathy goes out to you Grater family. As has been said, without Greg and your entire family's work, the state of wrestling in Kansas would be much weaker.
--Brett Shoffner
We are sorry for the loss of Greg. We are still somewhat new to the wrestling community, but the little time that we knew of Greg and his family we greatley appreciate what he and his family have done for the wrestling community. Our prayers go out to the Grater family.
May God Bless You!
Stephanie, and Mike Puckett (Parents of Aaron Puckett from Bonner Springs Wrestling Club)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Grater family. There are people who come on this earth, who can make a diference, Greg Grater made a difference.
May God Bless You!
Charles and Phyllis Knox
I was saddened when my sister called me at college earlier today and told me that Greg had passed away. I would like to send out my thoughts and prayers to Leanna and the boys. Greg was a great man and will be truly missed. God Bless you Leanna, Danny, and Gavin. Stay strong.
We are so sorry to hear about Greg Grater's passing...may God bless all of his family, especially Leanna, Jacob, Courtney, Danny and Gavin. Our prayers are with you all.
Ronelle DeLaurentis and Damian Pflughoeft
On behalf of the Colby Wrestling Club, our sincere condolences to the entire family. Kansas has lost an exceptional leader to our young wrestlers. Our state was blessed to have Greg, and we need to honor his efferts by continuing to promote, with intergrity as Greg has, the sport of wrestling to our youth.
Gregory A. Grater
GREEN - Grater, Gregory A., 54, died March 2, 2006. Service 1:30 PM Monday, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clay Center. Survivors: wife, Leanna; sons, Courtney, Jacob, Danny, Gavin; mother, Reva; sisters, Terri Jermark, Vicki Pfizenmaier; 4 grandchildren. Holmes-Pfeifley Funeral Home, Riley.
Published in the Wichita Eagle on 3/4/2006.
The Grater's are in our thoughts and prayers as well. Greg did many good things for the sport of wrestling and hope things will carry on as I'm sure his boys and wife will do.