Wayne Grimm

Wayne A. Grimm, formerly of Fargo, died on Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at Eventide in Moorhead, MN. He was born in Hurdsfield, ND, on May 18, 1917, the son of Roy and Pearl Grimm. After graduating from Hurdsfield High School, he attended college in Valley City for several years, and graduated in 1939 from the University of North Dakota with a degree in law. After receiving his law degree, he helped organize the McLean County Selective Service in Washburn, ND, and became its first clerk. He entered the Navy in May, 1942, as a Navigator Air Cadet and trained at the Wold-Chamberlain Airport in Minneapolis, MN, and later at Corpus Christi, TX, Jacksonville, FL, and Norfolk, VA. He went overseas on July 15, 1943, and was stationed on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean and at Recife and Natal, Brazil. He piloted B-24’s, Catalinas, Liberators, and Privateers. In the fall of 1943, he received the Navy Air Medal from Eleanor Roosevelt on Ascension Island. His picture appears on the jacket cover of the book “Galloping Ghosts of the Brazilian Coast” along with the plane and the rest of its crew. The book tells of the many missions looking for, and sinking, submarines that carried war supplies to aid the Japanese in World War II. He was discharged from active service in May 1945 at Los Angeles, CA, as a Lieutenant. He spent several years in the Naval Reserve and left the Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander. After his discharge from the Navy, he began working for the Veterans Administration in Fargo on March 4, 1946, as an Adjudicator and later as District Counsel (Chief Attorney). He married Elaine Schulz of Washburn, ND, in 1948. He was a member of the American Legion, the Rotary, and the Elks Club where he played in its band for 20 years. He was also active the Boy Scouts, serving as the scoutmaster of Troop 214 at Faith United Methodist Church in Fargo for several years. He received the Lord Baden-Powell award. He was a charter member of Faith United Methodist Church, and served in many areas during its growth. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, and especially gardening. After he retired from the Veterans Administration in April 1978, he wintered with Elaine in Sun City, AZ, for 24 years where he enjoyed bowling, lawn bowling, and making stained glass items. He and Elaine traveled extensively abroad and to every State. He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, and a brother. He is survived by his wife Elaine (Moorhead), a sister (Doris Smith) Rochester, MN., and 4 sons, Terrence (Carol) Lake Park, MN, Stanley (Lynn) Oakland, MD, Roger (Carol) Fargo, and James (Jocelyn Bonner) Eugene, OR. He also leaves 5 grandchildren, Erin (Charles) Van Winkle, Seattle, WA, Jason Grimm, New Haven, CT, Andrew Grimm, New York City, NY, Lisa Grimm, Austin, TX, and Eleanor Grimm, Charlottesville, VA. Memorials may be given to Faith United Methodist Church at 909 19th Ave. N., Fargo, ND, 58102, or the Eventide Foundation at 1500 7th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560. The family wishes to express its gratitude for the kind and professional care Wayne received at Eventide. A memorial service will be held in the spring. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery near Mandan, ND.