Merle "Mike" Grems 1918-2012

GREMS, ROSBURG, BRANNEN, WEIR, JULIUS, TIREVOLD

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/12/2013 at 01:09:47

ESTHERVILLE - Funeral services for Merle 'Mike' Grems, 94, of Estherville will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at First Christian Church in Estherville with Pastor Doug Burton officiating. Interment will be at East Side Cemetery in Estherville.

He passed away surrounded by family on Dec. 22, 2012, at Rosewood Manor in Estherville.

Mike was born June 1, 1918, in Center Township. He was the youngest child of Walter and Susie (Brannen) Grems.

Mike attended school in rural Emmet County until finishing the eighth grade. He then stayed home to help his parents on the farm until moving to Estherville with his parents.

On Nov. 9, 1946, Mike married Ora Rosburg in Jackson, Minn. Following their marriage the couple made their home in Estherville and Mike was employed at various jobs until finding his calling as a carpenter. He worked for various local contractors before becoming self-employed. His handiwork can be found in many homes and on many farms in Estherville and Emmet County.

Mike was a member of First Christian Church in Estherville.

Left to cherish Mike's memory is his son Douglas and his wife Marie, son Fred and his wife Dee, and daughter Virginia; grandchildren Don (Jessica), Chris (Beckie), Alison (Todd), Adam, Chad (Stacy), Matthew, Michelle (Ray) and Dawn (Bill); great-grandchildren McKenzie, Kyler, Gunner, James, Zach, Chelsea, Colby, Isabella, Gregory and Robert. Also his sister-in-law Vera and husband Fred Weir and many nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his wife Ora, daughter Paula, his parents and brothers Lester Grems and Willis Grems, sister Edna Julius and their spouses, brothers-in-law Leo Rosburg and Harley Rosburg, sister-in-law Edna Tirevold and their spouses, and Ora's parents. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, December 25, 2012)