Elaine Grimes

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 8:38 am

Elaine Joyce (Gottschalk) Grimes, 93, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at her home following a short illness.

Elaine was born Nov. 7, 1930, in Elkader, the daughter of Elmer and Leona (Gusta) Gottschalk. She married Jackie (Jack) Grimes on Nov. 18, 1956, at Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church in Elkader.

Elaine graduated from Elkader High School, completed her teaching certificate at Upper Iowa College and achieved her BA at Luther College. Elaine taught a total of 32 years in the West Union and Decorah School Districts. She was an active member of Decorah Congregational UCC women’s groups, the Retired School Personnel Association Decorah Chapter, a Vesterheim volunteer, Clayton and Winneshiek County Genealogy Societies, and Women’s Hospital Auxiliary.

Elaine is survived by her four children: Jan Grimes of Oelwein, Lynn (Bruce) Tiemann and Julie Grimes of Marion and Lee (Sharon) Grimes of Omaha; six grandchildren: Ben (Fabienne) Tiemann, Andrew (Kathryn) Tiemann, Ryan Grimes, Meghan Grimes (Alex), Madeline Grimes and Aaron Grimes; and four great-grandchildren: Caitlin, Sophia, Liam and Finn Tiemann; and sister-in-law, Sara (Don) Gottschalk.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Leona Gottschalk; husband, Jackie Grimes; mother and father-in-law, Jesse and Muriel Grimes; brothers, Don and Glen Gottschalk; and sister-in-law, Deborah (Glen) Gottschalk.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov.14 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah. Burial was at Phelps Cemetery.

Memorials can be designated to the Decorah Congregational UCC building fund or WinnMed Hospice.