Richard Ralph Grimm

Richard Grimm

Born September 17, 1930, Richard (Dick) Grimm was called home July 1, 2023. Richard was 92 years old. He joins his parents Ralph Grimm and Frances Grimm (nee Sykora), grandparents, Phillip J. Grimm and Anna Mary Grimm (nee Hallaska), John Sykora and Anna Sykora (Buana), aunts and uncles, John and Pauline Mikl (nee Sykora), cousins Edward and Josephine Hedersted, Lauretta Hallaska Chard, brother & sisters in law, Edward Grimm (Roberta) (Sue), sister-in-law Celia Grimm, cousins, wife, Juanita Grimm, son, Richard Guy Grimm, grandson, Jesse James Grimm, and other precious family and friends to eternal life. Richard is survived by his brother, Ronald Grimm (Carolyn). He is also survived by his children: sons, Michael (Carol), James (Maria), John, Tom, Ron (Corrin), daughters, Catherine, Helen, Christine. He is further survived by grandchildren: Amanda (Andy), Michael Jr., Mekhi, Mariah, David, Matthew (Trish), John T., Austin, Malena, Anthony Sr. (Rolanda), Joshua, Justine (Jake), John Jr., Alison, and, great-grandchildren: Peter, AJ, Rowan, Vanessa, Zoe, Jason, Scholar, Roma, Anthony Jr., Presley, Jameson, Jackson, and, great-great grandchildren, Kristianna, Elara, Ruby, and many nieces and nephews.

Richard grew up in Milwaukee, was a retired, sheet metal worker, and a U.S. Army Korean War Veteran, stationed on Cheju Do Island in Korea. He was a family man, investing in quality time spent with his wife and children. For seventy-one years, Richard was happily married to Juanita, who passed in 2022. They had nine children. Richard studied Commercial Art and was thinking of working for a local newspaper but decided against it. He enjoyed being creative and independent, so he put his energies into the Sheet Metal Industry to raise his family. Though he labored long hours as a foreman in the Sheet Metal Union working for such companies as Crown Sheet Metal, Joe Debelak Plumbing & Heating, Custom Heating & Air Conditioning, and other union companies, he spent the weekends, faithfully building relationships with family time and projects, at his farm in Marquette County, Wisconsin. In the summer, every year, he would indulge in a wilderness camping vacation with the whole clan at the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan, and engage in experiential education of survival skills with his children. He was generous with his knowledge, and was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back, if needed. He gave his support freely and openly, without any acknowledgement or remorse.

He was a Catholic and longtime member of St. Nicholas Parish, where his children attended school. He was a long-time supporter of the Catholic retreats at the Mother of Perpetual Help Redemption Center. He took Theology Classes at Cardinal Stritch College, was an artist, and learned how to scuba dive with several of his children. As a teenager, himself, he learned how to fly an airplane, and, nurtured the dream when one of his sons had the vision to get his license. When he retired from the Sheet Metal Union, he supported his wife's yoga career and attended numerous yoga retreats with her at the Kripalu Yoga Centers. Both, provided yoga retreats at the family's farm. Together, they helped organize and support the Thursday Night Meditation Group gatherings and Living in the Heart Affinity Group meetings. Richard was known for the healing power of his hands, through Reiki, massage, and hand/foot reflexology. Many, over the years, have experienced miraculous healing from his touch. When asked how he was able to make such a difference with pain and trauma in those whom he touched, Richard shared that, mentally & whole-heartedly, he would simply pour all of his love into where he was drawn, and let the energy do the rest.

He was a faithful and devoted, supporter of Summerfield United Methodist Church where his wife, taught yoga. He participated in bible studies and community outreach activities. He helped maintain and repair the church building and parsonage. He engineered the construction of a handicap lift that would transport people from the ground floor to the first floor so that they could attend services. He joined with other members of the congregation in all aspects of the project.

Richard came into this world as a lone survivor of triplets, feeling the love and support of family all around him. Throughout his lifetime, he graced everyone with a strength to live their life courageously with integrity and honor. Everyone he knew, was a part of his family, and deserving of his loving support. He had a special way of seeing the potential within people, and every word and action displayed by him, was to nurture the growth of that potential.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM in the Chapel of the Chimes at WISCONSIN MEMORIAL PARK, 13235 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield, WI 53005. The service will be at 2:00 PM followed by a burial with veteran honors at gravesite.

Acknowledgements:

The Richard Grimm family would like to thank everyone for all the loving support, thoughts, prayers, cards, telephone calls, and encouragement through this difficult time. God Bless everyone always. Special thank you to long-time friend of the family, Carol Hackbardt for officiating. Also, much gratitude to the Peace of Mind Funeral Home and the Wisconsin Memorial Park staff for all their care and kindness.