Sherril M. Rater

Sherril’s motto was that it is not the destination nor journey that makes a good life – it’s the company. After graduating from Sherman High School, she found just that in her high school crush, Larry Rater. They married on March 15, 1963, and remained best friends, business partners, and companions for 57 years. She was the apple of his eye, the “sweet pea” to his pod. Together, they traversed the world, built a small family farm into one of the region’s premier Dairy of Distinctions, and raised a still burgeoning family. After a life of farming, the duo sought to turn their love for travel into a profession, and the “Cowboy Up Express” was born. If Larry was the farmer, Sherril was the trucker, managing and leading this fleet of expedite-freight haulers over a million miles across North America. They had seen sunsets around the globe, stretching as far as Argentina and New Zealand, but her favorites were in Barcelona, N.Y.

Sherril loved laughter, animals, and discovering the great outdoors. She was happiest when doing all three. Punctual, organized, and prolific, she was a loyal friend and accountable partner to anyone her life touched. Fueled by a drive to be productive and serve those in need, she spent countless weekends volunteering at the Findley Lake Church and Camp Findley, ringing bells for charity, or bringing fresh food to the cold and forgotten.

Sherril adored family most of all. She will long be remembered and missed by her loving sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Michael (Grisel) Rater, their children Julia (Cory) Card, Gabriel, Sofia, Lucas, and grandson Miles; Greg (Sherri) Rater, their children Adrienne, Nicholas, Kennedy, and grandsons Jace, Gavin, and Brayson; Brian (Julia) Rater, and their children Hannah, Isabella, and Amelia; and AFS student Andrew (Andrea) Elliot, and their children Ashley, and Samantha of Dunedin, New Zealand.

There will be a service at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Sherman, N.Y. on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 11 AM. Following the service will be a celebration of life and luncheon at the Findley Lake Church. In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial to the Findley Lake Fire Department.