Roxanne “Roxee” M. Gates, age 70, a Manitowoc resident, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers.

She was born September 28, 1955 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, daughter of the late William and Catherine (Copus) Groothoff. Roxanne attended Mishicot High School and was employed at numerous places over the years, eventually working at Santa’s Best, where she was pleased to work for 14 years and made many special friends. She married Ricky Frasch on January 20, 1973, he preceded her in death on April 8, 1973. On April 4, 1987 she married James “Gator” Gates, he preceded her in death on November 1, 2023. In her younger years, she enjoyed playing darts and volleyball. Roxanne also loved to read and watch the ID Channel.

Roxanne is survived by her four children: Richelle "Gina" (Kevin) Raymond, Amanda (Julio) Ruiz, Ashley (Jorge) Castro, and Amber (Jorge) Ferrusco; nine grandchildren: Kevin II, Alexus, and Kaitlyn Raymond, Adrianna, Jose, and Alynna Maldonado, Natalia, Noelia, and Juliana Ruiz; siblings: Michael (Margaret) Groothoff, Karen Skor, Ron (Cathy) Groothoff, Bill (Kathy) Groothoff, Duane “Wiener” Groothoff; one brother-in-law: Paul Gates; one sister-in-law: Debra Gates; a special friend: Jessica; her cat: Vaevae; grandpups: Bella, Luna, Cross; grandcats: Dora, Poopy, Kaito, Jada, and Candice; and great-grandpups: Loki and Vivi. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents: William and Catherine Groothoff, two husbands: Ricky Frasch and James “Gator” Gates, three brothers, two sisters, nephews, a niece, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, 628 N. Water Street, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be Lisa Novachek. Following the service, a luncheon will be held for family and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, located on the southside property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Roxanne will be laid to rest at Knollwood Mausoleum, Town of Kossuth, at a later date.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Manitowoc.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of Aurora Medical Center, Aurora Hospice, Domnitz Flowers, Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, and Knollwood Mausoleum for the care and compassion shown to Roxanne and her family.