Janet Joyce Grimes

Janet Joyce Grimes was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 16, 1933, just minutes before her best friend, life-long co-conspirator, and identical twin sister Janice. She was the daughter of Harry and Helen Hoeft and sister of Kenneth and Donna.

Janet adored her mother and father and maintained very close relationships with them. Always the keen observer, Janet also gleaned invaluable life lessons from her parents. From her father: the value of hard work and determination, along with the finer points of house painting. From her mother: the importance of self-reliance and creative problem solving, as well as the ability to hand-sew clothing. From both Harry and Helen she learned how to love unconditionally. These traits and values would deeply inform the tenacious, conscientious, nurturing, and confident woman she would become.

While attending South High School in Minneapolis, Janet joined the K-Debs organization and, along with her partner in crime, Janice, made a name for herself as an outgoing and fun-loving member of her class. The Twins were known to swap classrooms with each other, much to the chagrin of their teachers. Their shared love of mischief and levity would last them a lifetime.

On a fateful family vacation to Winter Haven, Florida, Janet met a tall, handsome, devilishly charming man named Harold Grimes. Was this love at first sight? Well, considering Janet didn't return home to Minnesota, we can assume so! Harold and Janet were wed and made their home in Winter Haven, Florida. The two would live as husband and wife for 58 years.

Janet and Harold had one child, their daughter Barbara. Janet decided to stay home to care for Barbara, who was her pride and joy. During this time Janet joined the Junior Women's Club and helmed many charitable initiatives. Her outstanding organizational skills, tireless work ethic, and creativity proved invaluable assets to her community. She also led Barbara's girl scout troop; a testament to both her perpetual readiness to roll her sleeves up and get the job done as well as her desire to always support and encourage her daughter. It's safe to say that many young girls learned a great deal about preparedness, organization, business acumen, and the importance of teamwork under the tutelage of Janet Grimes.

Janet would remain a constant, supportive presence in her daughter's life until the day she died. When Barbara moved to San Antonio for college she and her mother would have weekly phone calls to catch up on the goings-on. It was at St. Mary's University that Barbara met Melvin Biri, who would become her husband.

Barbara and Melvin would provide Janet with four grandchildren: Colleen, Meredith, Branson, and Mitchell. These four hooligans would become both the collective apples of her eye and her biggest causes of concern. As Barbara's family grew, Harold and Janet moved to San Antonio in 1994 to be near them and help with the demands of raising such a wild bunch of ragamuffins. Janet would pick the kids up from school and watch them until their parents came home. She was always armed with snacks and Gatorade, always made sure the children had all of their school work necessities, and always found little things to do around the house. A dish here, a mop there. And she always, ALWAYS, made a joke or had a laugh with the kids. Even upon entering her seventh decade, Janet was known to shoot the basketball with Mitchell in the driveway. She never slowed down and never did anything half-way.

Harold and Janet attended every sporting event, school function, and extra curricular activity; forever cheering on their beloved grandchildren from the stands.

As her grandchildren grew into young adults she generously supported their academic endeavors and encouraged them to achieve in the highest manner possible.

Janet demonstrated her unwavering loyalty and unconditional love during the failing health of her husband, Harold. She was caring and compassionate and was never once beleaguered or put-upon. She loved and supported him until the day he died. She was aided in Harold's care by a team of angels who deserve special mention here: Gracie and Daniella. These amazing women with the help of two equally amazing caregivers, Flor and Yesenia, would then go on to assist Janet herself as Father Time asked her to slow down (just a little) and let others take a few things off her plate. Daniella, Gracie, Flor and Yesenia made it possible for Janet to remain safely and comfortably in her own home. Their labor and love can not be overstated here. Everyone who loved Janet is forever grateful to this incredible group.

Janet Joyce Grimes died on May 18, 2026. She passed with her beloved niece, Natalie, at her side, in her own home, surrounded by countless portraits of all the people she loved so dearly and who loved her immeasurably in return.

Janet is preceded in death by her mother and father Helen and Harry Hoeft, her siblings Kenneth, Donna, and Janice, her nieces Mary Colleen and Sandra, her nephews Patrick, Kenneth Jr and Tim. She is survived by her daughter Barbara (Melvin), her grandchildren Colleen, Meredith (Lauren), Branson, and Mitchell, her nieces Natalie (Don) and Terri (Steve), and her nephews Michael, Joseph and Tom (Deb).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity Janet supported and admired for their extraordinary care of children with cancer.