Born July 27, 1932, in Wellington, Mo., she was the oldest child of Lee and Mary Wulfekammer.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred J. Grimes, who died in 2000; her parents; her daughter-in-law, Lucretia Reeves; and her sisters-in-law, Thelma Grimes and Sharon Wulfekammer.
Survivors include her three children, Greg Grimes of Bridgeton, Mo., Tom Grimes of Sheridan, Mont., and Amy Grimes of Phoenix, Ariz.; one brother, John Wulfekammer of Plano, Texas; one brother-in-law, Earl Grimes of Osborn, Mo., one grandson; three nieces and two nephews.
Shirley grew up on the family farm outside of Napoleon, Mo. and attended high school in Lexington, Mo.
She went to Christian College (now Columbia College) before transferring to the University of Missouri in Columbia. It was there she met Fred on a blind date. They married about six months later.
After she graduated with a degree in education, Shirley taught at a few schools around the state before she and Fred moved their family to St. Louis County in 1968. She then worked in the Rockwood School District as an eighth-grade English teacher. She started at Eureka Junior High School, then moved to Selvidge Junior High School, where she remained until she retired in 1987.
Many times people asked her how she could deal with that age group, but she always said she preferred them despite the challenges that can come with teaching young teenagers. She especially prided herself on finding ways to get through to students who others considered problem students. Many of her students were quite fond of her as well. Some of them stayed in touch with her through their high school and college years and beyond.
After Shirley’s retirement, she and Fred moved to southwest Missouri outside of Bennett Spring State Park so Fred could go trout fishing whenever he wanted. Shirley wasn’t interested in fishing but filled her time by becoming very involved in the Episcopal church in nearby Lebanon, Mo. She served on several committees and made many dear friends at the church.
Shirley also made the most of her retirement years by traveling as much as possible, including trips to New Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. She and Fred also spent at least a few weeks every summer or fall in Idaho near Henry’s Lake, one of Fred’s favorite fishing spots. While Shirley still had no interest in fishing, she loved the scenery and the proximity to Yellowstone Park. No matter how many times she visited Yellowstone, she never tired of seeing the animals and the park’s many other attractions.
Several years after Fred’s death, Shirley moved back to the St. Louis area to be closer to son Greg. She remained there until her death.
Donations may be made in Shirley’s name to the charity of the donor’s choice. Causes and organizations that were especially close to her heart include animal welfare, the environment, the Episcopal church and the University of Missouri.
The family is planning to hold a memorial service later this year.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.8.18