Obituary: Louie Grimes

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In memory of

Louie Grimes

of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 89

Louie was part of what has been called the greatest generation that grew up in the depression era, served in WWII, came back, raised a family, and through persistence and hard work built a ranch in spite of blizzard, drought, and economic ups and downs.
Lewis Edward Grimes, better known as Louie, was born October 14, 1918, at Gregory, South Dakota, the son of Everett and Eva May (Gray) Grimes. He grew up on a ranch and received his education in rural schools in the Belvidere area. At the age of 14, he began working for various ranchers in the Belvidere area.
As a young man he lived in a line camp in the unfenced Weta Basin area where he rode on cattle for neighboring ranchers.
He served in the U.S. Army during WWII with the 10th Mountain Division. He sailed for Italy on Christmas Eve. His unit packed supplies with horses and mules through the Alps.
After his discharge, he was united in marriage to Elsie Peterson in November 1945, in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They established a ranch in the Weta area where they raised their three children. Over time, they were able to expand the ranch and have a heritage to pass on to their children and grandchildren.
One of the things he took pride in was making and riding good horses. He could make an average horse into a good one and a good one into a great one. One of his greatest pleasures was roping. He was one of the founding members of the Rodeo Bible Camp, which allowed him to share his passion for rodeo and helping young people.
Louie was fortunate enough to have his health and was able to work on the ranch until the day he died. One of his greatest pleasures in later life was the time spent with his grandchildren.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Kadoka, and the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.
Survivors include two sons Tom Grimes of Kadoka, and Jerry Grimes and his wife Merilee of Kadoka; one daughter Jeanie Kingsbury and her husband John of Pine Island, Minnesota; four grandchildren Stacy Green and her husband Tucker, Levi Grimes and his wife Elissa, Austin Grimes and his wife Jessica Jean, and Megan Kingsbury; three great-grandchildren Lane Green and Jackson and Jordan Grimes; one brother Lornce Grimes of Interior; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Louie was preceded in death by his wife Elsie on June 8, 2005, a granddaughter Jessica Ray Grimes on April 9, 2006; his parents; one brother John Grimes, and a sister Opal Thompson.
Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Wednesday.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 20, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka, with Pastor Gary McCubbin officiating.
Interment will be in the Kadoka Cemetery.
A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.
Presbyterian Church
Kadoka, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Gary McCubbin
MUSIC
Musicians
Joyce Wheeler – Megan Kingsbury
Carl Bauman- - John Kaiser
Boyd Porch – Pat Porch
“God Must Have Been A Cowboy”
“Go Rest High On That Mountain”
“Old Rugged Cross”
“How Great Thou Art”
USHERS
Gene Fortune – Orville Josserand
Buster Peterson – Jerry Stout
PALLBEARERS
Norman Amiotte – Larry Beckwith
Irwin Ferguson – Tucker Green
Austin Grimes – Levi Grimes
Will Grimes – Loren Moreland
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 19, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka.
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 20, at the Presbyterian Church in Kadoka.
Interment: Kadoka Cemetery.

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Grimes Family-
We are so sorry for your loss. It is hard to loose someone so special. This will be a trying time for all of you, but know that God will again put his arms around you and hold you tight and carry you through another difficult journey.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
With Love and prayers for comfort thru your time of grief.
Your Friends,
David & Michelle, Kelcey, Katie and Lukas Butler ~ Michelle Butler Philip SD (2/16/2008)
Jerry & Merilee we are very sorry to hear of your loss. May the Lord comfort you in this your hour of need. ~ Stulken, Petersen, Lingle & Walti, LLP Pierre SD (2/16/2008)
Levi and family,
I am saddened to hear of Louie's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. God is watching over you. ~ Janelle Madsen Popwell Wellington, TX (2/16/2008)
To the Grimes family:

I want to send my condolences to the Grimes family. God bless you all.

~ Kathleen McRae Nelson goodcents@itctel.com (2/16/2008)
Tom, Jerry and families,
Louie will be sadly missed. He was a wonderful friend and neighbor. ~ Marj. Peterson PO box 1185 Baker, Mt. 59313 (2/16/2008)
Got to see and visit with Louie the other day...I always enjoyed him..What a dad and grandad and great..
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Brett and Tam ~ Brett & Tammy Prang Kadoka, SD (2/16/2008)
We extend our deepest sympathy to each of you and pray that God will surround you with His comforting arms. You are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Ray & Sue Kingsbury Columbus, Georgia (2/16/2008)
Grimes Families:
Jeff was just saying how he had seen Tom and Louie at Jiggers having lunch the other day. Jeff was giving Tom a hard time that Louie wouln't have to wear his coveralls if Tom wouldn't make him open all the gates!

Louie always had a big smile on his face whenever you saw him!

Hold all of the great memories of Louie dear to your hearts to help you through the days ahead. You are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Jeff & Wendy Madsen Cottonwood, SD (2/16/2008)
Another colorful chapter in the pioneer days of the Dakota Badlands has quietly closed...Louie & Elsie will always be a special part of memories and stories of life among the buttes; Louie could ride with the roughest of the Badlands cowboys, yet he always lived life as a gentle man. Only a few years ago, I watched as Louie still showed his boys (and girls) how to rope calves for branding on the open range. It is good to know that Tom, Jeanie, Jerry & all those Grandchildren will carry on the Grimes' Legacy as they continue to run herefords & horses on that grand place along the shores of Weta Dam.....Happy Trails & God Bless ~ Mike Barber Tampa (DakotaBadands@aol.com) (2/16/2008)
Grimes Family-
I was sorry to hear of Louie's passing. What a kind, gentle, loving man!!! I loved to listen to his stories. It was always a pleasure to be at Grandpa and Grandma Petras's when Louie and Elsie would stop. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers! ~ Jody Petras Rapid City, SD (2/16/2008)
I was very sorry to hear of Louie's passing, I met him while I was working at Baye and Parsons in Philip, shortly after my discharge from the Navy in 1970. I have enjoyed knowing him all these years. He was a good man, and will, I am sure, be missed by all that knew him. He always had a big smile on his face for all of his friends. ~ Dan Uhrig Philip, SD. (2/16/2008)
Grimes Family, It was our privilege to know Louie and call him our friend, he has made an impact on our lives especially Dale and Logan.
With Love
Dale & Lisa, Laycee and Logan ~ Dale Christensen Family Kakoka SD (2/16/2008)
Today marks the end of an era. A span of time where men truly valued honor, character and respect. Louie embraced these concepts and combined them with a work ethic, a love for his Lord, and a positive outlook for life. I feel that every person can reflect back on his life and see two or three things or people that defines themselves or helps them to develop who they are. One of those “cornerstones” in my life is the summer of 1982 when I lived and worked “with” Louie. My dad gave me the opportunity to learn from someone he respected, a great teacher and a top-notch example of “who” a “man” is really about. Louie was a man who epitomized everything Dad raised us to be. Louie was a man who took everything the badlands would throw at him (blazing summer heat, harsh winters, cactus, mosquitoes, and the rattlesnakes) and still had the attitude that he lived in paradise. He did live in paradise. It was his Faith, Family and Friends that made his home, not his location.
That summer, God paired up an unlikely combination of a man is his 60’s with a 16 year-old boy. But we connected like we have been a team for years. As we worked (and team roped) we communicated with few words, usually with a nod of the head or a motion of the hands. That enabled us to concentrate our conversations on more important life matters and having light-hearted moments while we worked or played.
I pray that I am half the man that Louie was and that I can hope to pass on his legacy to my three sons. Truly, without a doubt, as Louie stepped through the Pearly Gates and onto streets paved with gold, the angels met him in full chorus, pausing long enough for him to hear his Lord say “Welcome…Well done Thy Good and Faithful Servant.”
~ Tracy Peterson Central City, NE (2/16/2008)
A beautiful tribute to a wonderful life! Praise the Lord for the hope we have in Christ. ~ Matthew Foerster Crownpoint, NM (2/16/2008)