Eileen L. Grimm

Sun Prairie - Eileen Lucille Grimm (Mom), was born in Green Bay, WI to Leo and Lillian LeMense, on October 25, 1932, and passed away in Sun Prairie, WI on April 7,2024, after an appropriately long good-bye.  A series of falls that on a couple occasions caused broken bones, brought us all back together to the same home we grew up in to have a year and a half family reunion.  Second only to her faith, family was Mom’s focus and dedication.  Six children born with the same strong wills, we had to learn again to have brothers and sisters in our daily lives as we headed down the path to what we assumed would be complete recovery.  Being together again brought some conflicts but mostly it brought a great healing. Mom was at the center of it all.  Loving the idea of having us all in the house again, she had no thoughts of leaving anytime soon.

She was just 91 and certainly had far more life in her than to be done now.   But of course, nobody knows Gods plan.   Fortunately, that time we had with her from the first fall to the last gave us time to prepare ourselves for what eventually became obvious.  Nothing about this part of Mom’s life was easy as she truly preferred to serve rather than to be served.  We were raised to care and to help others, but we never expected she would need our help for even the simple things in life we take for granted.  It was humbling for all of us, and it was an honor to serve the servant.  

Mom was a servant to her faith, her husband and her children never missing an opportunity to be there whenever needed. She was first a wife, married to her one true love Harold for 50 years.  She was not only a mother but also a Den mother for all her Cub Scouts, a physician for all the skinned knees and elbows at home and in the neighborhood and a school counselor for all the hurt feelings and problems caused by children growing up.  She was also a skilled artist, scientist and mathematician for all the school projects that came home during what should have been her time to relax.  She never complained but rather embraced every chance to be there for each needing child.  After moving to Sun Prairie in 1967, Mom and Dad were part of a core group of family’s who founded St Albert the Great Catholic Church and went about raising faith filled children involved in Church and community.  Her involvement in Church lasted until she no longer had the energy to help.  St Albert’s was her place of comfort after losing her husband.  

Mom now joins her husband Harold who preceded her in death on June 15, 2005.  They are together again living in heavenly peace in the presence of our Lord.  Tragically, she is also preceded in death by a daughter-in-law Patricia. She is survived by all her children including Jim (Lori), Tom, Pat, Ray (Kristina), LeeAnn, Mary Sies (Doug), Julie Warne and grandchildren Kari, Nick, Elise, Katelyn, Casey, Emily, Trey, Ani, Seta, Mandy, Jeremy, Trisha and Rob as well as nine great grandchildren.  She is further survived by her brother Donald LeMense, the last and oldest of a family of wonderful people and many loving nieces and nephews, the LeMense’s, the Gallagher’s and the Moran’s.  It’s also important to recognize long-time loving friends Francine Hemauer, Jean Hinz, Fr. Richard Lesniak, Jan Keller (deceased) and Linda Leggett who stayed close to Mom and shared the end of her life with us.

So many others were involved as Mom entered her final stage of life.  For all the nurses and CNA’s from Agrace Hospice Care who had never met her but knew she was special, we extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your wonderful care. You helped us as much by being so kind in your interactions.

For us, we lose a wonderful mother, caregiver, friend and mentor.  It will take some time to get used to the idea that we are here alone now. We miss you, Mom.  Give Dad a hug from all of us.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday April 20, 2024 at ST. ALBERT THE GREAT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2420 St Albert the Great Drive, Sun Prairie, WI. with Fr. Vincent Brewer presiding.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the service at the church on Saturday.   Burial will be in Sun Prairie Memory Garden.  A luncheon at church will follow the burial.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie

(608) 837-9054

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com