Ruth Grimes

Grimes, Ruth Henry (G.G.) of Waunakee, formerly of Platteville passed away on 1/22/2014 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, WI after a short illness.
Ruth was born to Carlton C. and Nova (Lombard) Henry on 8/3/1927 in Rochester, MN the fifth of seven children. She grew up in Rochester and Lake City, MN where her love of water was born. Ruth was happiest when she could be near a large body of water. Her love of travel took her to California where she met and married Donald D'Arnold Grimes. Their life together included three children and took them from the west coast back to the Midwest and then on to Houston, TX. When Don passed away in 1958, Ruth moved her young family back to Platteville, WI to be closer to her parents. In 2005, she moved to Waunakee once again to be closer to family.
Ruth was a bookkeeper for several businesses in Platteville until her retirement. She was a Girl Scout Leader and a 50+ year member of the Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. G had a big heart and an open door for her children's friends, many of whom became lifelong friends of hers as well. G.G. treasured family, loved music, dancing, large bodies of water, travel, Mickey Mouse and the Green Bay Packers (as long as they weren't playing the Vikings). Ruth never met a hat or a pair of shoes she didn't like even though her feet were so tiny she often had to buy display samples.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents, brothers Robert Henry and Carl Henry; infant sister Mae Henry; sisters Mova Edwards and Flo Kleiber; and infant granddaughter Nova Germaine Doescher.
Ruth is survived by her children: Kathy (Rick) Chase of Benton; Susan Grimes (Ted Thornton) of Middleton, WI; Mike Grimes of Sulphur, LA and Nan Maples of Pasadena, CA; five grandchildren; Joshua Grimes (Melissa Stream), Courtney Doescher-Hino (Andy Hino), Jael Doescher, Jessica Thornton (fianc�e Martin O'Brien) and Sean Thornton. She is further survived by her little sister Ann Avery of San Jose, CA and her honorary daughter and grandson Maryjo Webster and James Copeland and many nieces and nephews scattered across the country.
According to her wishes there will be no funeral. A memorial gathering of friends and family will be held at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI. 53705 on Saturday February 1, 2014 from 2:00-4:00pm. A private family burial will be at a later date.
Mom wanted a party to celebrate her life. To that end plans are being made to meet on a large body of water sometime in this summer.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Ruth's name to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl PKWY., Madison, WI. 53711 and DAIS of Dane County, PO Box 1761, Madison, WI. 53701
We would like to thank Dr. Jennie Hounshell for her ever patient care of Mom since moving to Waunakee. Also the doctors and nurses at UW Hospital Family Medicine, the staff at Waunakee Manor and Agrace HospiceCare.