Mary Theresa "Tess" Grimes

Mary Theresa “Tess” Grimes, age 90, of Albia, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at the Monroe Care Center in Albia surrounded by her family. Tess was born on October 13, 1926, in Weller, Iowa to William Martin and Mary Ann (Bingaman) Flahive. She grew up and graduated from the Lovilia High School with the class of 1945. In November, 1946 she married Emmett Grimes, at St. Peters Catholic Church in Lovilia. To this union four children were born, Bob, Kathy, John and Barb. They shared 34 years of marriage before Emmett’s passing in 1981. Tess worked in Des Moines as a file clerk for an insurance company. After marrying Emmett she stayed home to raise her family. She then took a job working at Chamberlain’s before going to work for Hy-Vee in the bakery until her retirement. She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Lovilia, before becoming a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia then later became a member at St. Anthony’s Church in Knoxville for six years. She served on the Altar and Rosary Society for all 3 of the churches. Tess would bring communion to the sick who were unable to attend church. She loved to sew and was a very talented seamstress. She enjoyed playing canasta with her card club, being outdoors, gardening, canning, dancing and entertaining guests with Emmett on Sunday evenings. Her real joy in life was spending time with her family and friends. Tess is survived by her three children, Bob (Beverly) Grimes of Agency, MO, Kathy (Steve) Herwehe of Cedar Rapids, and Barb (Joe) Crall of Albia; 11 grandchildren, Matthew (Jennifer) Grimes, James (Marissa) Grimes, Joe Herwehe, Scott (Amy) Herwehe, Tom (Amy) Herwehe, Steven (Lindsey) Grimes, Katie Nichols, Molly (Neal) Mick, Ryan (Rachel) Crall, Nick Crall, Meghan Crall and 15 great grandchildren. Tess is also survived by four sisters, Marjorie (Edward) Martin of Cave Creek, AZ, Florence (Donald) Welch of Winterset, Catherine (Jack) Thomas of San Marcos, CA, Delores Littlejohn of West Des Moines, a brother, Jim (Diane) Flahive of Albia, many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett Grimes; her parents, William and Mary Ann, a son, John Grimes; a grandson, Chris; three brothers Edward, William and John Flahive, and four sisters, Madeline Stanley, Jo Ann Derby and Bernice Flattery and Geraldine Grimes. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 17, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, with Father Michael E. Volkmer C.PP.S., Father Mark Yates C.PP.S. and Father Kevin Anstey officiating. Burial will follow services at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Albia. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Sunday, July 16, 2017 at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Tess's family present throughout the day and evening to greet family and friends. A 4:00 p.m. rosary will be led by St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society and a wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m. A memorial has been established to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Mary Theresa "Tess" Grimes

October 13, 1926 - July 12, 2017