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Eleanor Grimm

Eleanor Rose “Ellie” Grimm

January 29th, 1927 - August 11th, 2022

Ellie's Obituary

Eleanor (Ellie) Grimm, 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at Northwoods Village in Kalamazoo.

A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 11AM, at Trinity Lutheran Church- St. Joseph, with Pastor Michael Roth officiating. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, August 14, 2022, from 2PM until 4PM, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer’s Foundation (alz.org) or Centrica Care Navigators Hospice (centricacare.org).

Ellie was a life-long resident of St. Joseph, Michigan, and grew up in the “Sand Rabbit” neighborhood at Silver Beach. She was the daughter of German immigrants and a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church and School.

Ellie had planned to attend college (encouraged by her high school English teacher) when her mother tragically died when she was in high school. Ellie decided to stay at home to care for her younger brothers and was later able to get a good job at the loan office in the Fidelity Building in Benton Harbor. Ellie was an excellent bookkeeper and she loved the customer interactions involved in the loan transaction business.

One evening, when out with her friends at the Pine Pub, Ellie met Bob Grimm and they were married on September 10, 1949. During their 59-year marriage, they enjoyed many travel adventures throughout the world, including several People-to People tours, Coca-Cola trips and cruises.

Ellie and Bob spent the winter months in Florida, where they enjoyed many adventures at Disneyworld, Epcot and fishing, especially with family and granddaughters. Ellie enjoyed walking on the beach, collecting seashells and the serenity of nature.

Ellie was a 40-year volunteer at Lakeland Hospital and was active and involved with multiple church activities, including Altar Guild, Bible Study and the church newsletter.

Ellie is survived by daughters Laurie, Diann (husband Dan), Janet, and granddaughters Jessica (husband Michael and daughters Mairin and Maggie), Adriene (husband Snowy), as well as their father, Gary. She was predeceased by her father Ralph, mother Helene, husband Bob, and brothers William and James.

Ellie will be remembered by everyone who knew her as a kind, generous and compassionate person, giving of herself to others in times of need.

Service Details

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