Name: Visitation for Patricia Grimmer
Start: 2023-01-13T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-01-13T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Our Savior Lutheran Church

Patricia Grimmer

1942 - 2023

CARBONDALE - Patricia Grimmer passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2023. Her husband of 59 years, Ron, and sons were close by.

Pat was born January 4, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa to Edwin and Bernice Andresen, and had four siblings: Bud, Ron, Diane, and Linda. At Carthage College in Illinois, Pat met a handsome and kind young math major on a double date with someone else. She and Ron Grimmer were inseparable after that. They were married on September 30, 1963, and she completed her degree at University of Iowa in 1964 where Ron was finishing his PhD.

Pat and Ron moved to Carbondale, Illinois in 1967 for Ron's position in the Math Department at SIU. While raising three boys, she became active in the League of Women Voters and local civil rights causes. During a 1980 sabbatical year in Coventry, England, Pat conducted research on inner-city gifted student education in English school systems and published the results of that study to complete her Master's degree in education at SIU. Summers were spent with the family camping in Pensacola, Florida, along the Current River in Missouri, and fishing in northern Minnesota.

Pat taught American, World, and Honors History, and US Government at Carbondale Community High School from 1978 to 2006. During her teaching career, Pat took students on trips to Washington DC, Europe, and China and won several awards for her innovative teaching, including the prestigious Milken Educator Award. Her students were repeat medalists at the National History Fair in Washington DC. Many of her students were inspired to take up teaching and history as careers.

In 2004, Pat suggested to Ron that they take up early morning walking at the mall for exercise. In 2006, they ran their first half-marathons, and they went on to run half marathons a couple times a year in Memphis, New Orleans, Champaign, and Winnipeg as well as locally. In addition to her travels for teaching and running, Pat and Ron loved traveling to Europe, especially Austria and Italy, for study, sightseeing, and great food. Pat was happiest being Oma to her three grandchildren and at her dinner table, serving a delicious meal that she had cooked for family and friends.

Pat was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church for many years. She is survived by her loving husband Ron, sons Steve (Kristie), Dave (Michelle) and Bob (Angela), and three grandchildren: Grace, Greta, and Erick.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM, Friday January 13th at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carbondale. Visitation is from 1-2 PM.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Southern Illinoisan on Jan. 10, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Patricia Grimmer

13 Entries

S. Jeyaratnam

January 30, 2023

Dear Ron,
Our heartfelt condolences.
Mano & Jey
(S. Jeyaratnam)

Chuck Benya

Planted Trees

Dan Kammler

January 13, 2023

I was a student at CCHS (class of `93). I had Mrs. Grimmer for both world history and honors American history. Her classes were tough but well worth the effort. I still mention her sometimes in conversation when telling others how grateful I am for her classes ... especially American history. She challenged my view (as a teenager) of our history and I´m so glad she did! This gift has aged very well after 30 years. Thank you Mrs. Grimmer! You had a huge impact on me. Rest in peace.

Dan Kammler

January 13, 2023

I was a student at CCHS (class of 93) and had Mrs. Grimmer for both world history and honors American history. Her classes were tough but so worth all the effort! I still mention her to people in conversation about what an amazing gift she gave me by challenging my view of History. That gift has aged well over the last 30 years. Thank you so much Mrs. Grimmer!! Rest in peace.

Jennifer Kirby

January 12, 2023

Pat Grimmer is indeed, living on through her students. She touched so many lives, mine included. I still talk about her to friends and family. I will forever be grateful that my life was touched by hers. Peace and love to all her family. Thank you, Mrs. Grimmer, for everything.

Jennifer (Wood) Kirby
Class of '87

Heather Weiss Shipley

January 12, 2023

Mrs. Grimmer was one of my toughest teachers and also my favorite. I still use the lessons she taught me in research and hard work today. Looking outside of the school textbooks at history was not the norm in the early 90s, and I can´t thank her enough for making that the standard in her classes. {{hugs}}

Jill Blankenship

January 11, 2023

I was lucky enough to be one of Mrs. Grimmer's students in two of her classes (CCHS class of '94). She was a wonderful, wonderful teacher. While I did not become a historian, the project I did for her AP American History class has had a huge impact on how I view my role as an educator. My sincerest condolences.

Edward O'Day

January 11, 2023

For many years I served as a judge at the Illinois Southern Regional History Day Fair at SIU. Entries by students in Pat Grimmer´s history class at CCHS were always well researched and creatively presented. They were evidence of her love of the subject and a fitting tribute to her teaching skills. May she rest in peace.

Ernestine Haynes Hughlett

January 11, 2023

Thank you for making me do homework! I still don´t like history but I did enjoy you as a teacher! Class of 1984 Ernestine Haynes Hughlett

Ed O'Day

January 11, 2023

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ginny Hoffman and Michael Batinski, Jaffrey, New Hampshire

January 11, 2023

Oh, Pat, how deeply you will be missed by your family and so many friends. You were loved by many, even including your students! Being in a reading group with you for many years, i grew to be eager to hear your thoughts. They echoed your insight, sense of humor, compassion, and spirituality. You often contributed something no one else had thought
about. Her contributions (and desserts) were special.
Ginny Hoffman

Ginny Hoffman

Pat was a gift to our entire community. She understood and cared greatly for younger generations. If we had history teachers like Pat iin every school, with Pat's knowledge and passion, our country would be a better place for all people.. Pat was exceptional.

Tami Boaz

January 10, 2023

My heart goes out to the Grimmer men and their families.

Tami Boaz

Margaret Hollis Handy

January 10, 2023

My condolences to Pat's family. At CCHS, she was an outstanding teacher and good friend. There aren't many like her; she had so many personal and professional accomplishments. May she rest in peace as one of the best teachers ever at CCHS.

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