Kay Grimm

Kay Lavina Grimm, died peacefully in her home on Wednesday April 10, 2024. Ms. Grimm was born in DeKalb County, Illinois. An early Christmas gift to the world, Ms. Grimm was born on December 24, 1961. Ms. Grimm was preceded in death by her parents Curtis Glenn Grimm and Dolores Hawver Grimm, and by her sisters Cindy Grimm Johnson and Jamie Sue Grimm. She is survived by her brothers Brian Grimm, Joel Grimm (Terry), her twin Kevin Grimm (Lora) and many nieces and nephews. Ms. Grimm is also survived by her long time partner and friend Ms. Sue Spicer. Countless friends and colleagues throughout Indianapolis, central Indiana and beyond, mourn the loss of Ms. Grimm who was a significant icon in the development of the local food movement.

Ms. Grimm graduated from Hinckley Big Rock High School in Hinckley, Illinois and immediately began to serve her country and others by enlisting in the United States Air Force. During boot camp she played coronet in the Air Force Band. She later served in Intelligence as an Interpreter of High German and was also part of the wartime force in Grenada. Ms. Grimm received her Bachelor of Science from the Air Force. While in the Air Force, Ms. Grimm was briefly stationed at Grissom Air Base, which is the first time she called Indiana home.

After the Air Force, Ms. Grimm stayed true to her agrarian roots and was involved in a tree planting initiative in West Virginia. While there, she met someone from Indianapolis who encouraged her to relocate to Indiana. Ms. Grimm settled on Indianapolis' near Eastside and began to have a prominence in Indianapolis for teaching children and adults about the miracle of seeds, their growth and the importance of saving heirloom seeds. Developing that wisdom was encouraged through several of her earliest initiatives, including, Kids N Bloom and the Green Bean Team. As her efforts matured through the years, Ms. Grimm became a leader in Indianapolis and an advocate for greater food access and community development through local foods. Ms. Grimm developed a tremendous reputation with farmers throughout central Indiana and beyond as the link to local markets. Ms. Grimm developed the means for their agricultural products to get to consumers, through her work with Basic Roots Community Foods. Ms. Grimm considered herself an "agrapreneur," but more so, she was a leader, teacher, mentor and Sage in the Indianapolis community and beyond.

Ms. Grimm developed her home and a teaching, learning space on a collection of eight city lots. Fruit Loop Acres became the gathering space for growing, learning and revering the Earth. An eclectic space, Fruit Loop Acres also became the place where Ms. Grimm would create art that often spoke with deep meaning about the importance of sustainability and a greener world. Ms. Grimm's creative initiatives and art were award winning and often featured in local art shows.

The family of Kay Grimm wishes to thank KayLeigh McReynolds for time spent and Beth Ann Maxon for valuable information and assistance.

The community is invited to celebrate the life of Kay Grimm on Sunday April 28, 2024 at Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery. Visitation will commence at 12:00 pm, Celebration of Life at 1:30 pm, full Military Honors at 3:00 pm and a pitch in reception following at Unity of Indianapolis, where Ms. Grimm worshiped; 907 N Delaware St.; Indianapolis, IN 46202