Memorial
Gary Ray Grimm, 86, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday September 25, 2026.
Gary was born in Iowa City, Iowa on November 7, 1939, the son of Yvonne De Shaw and was adopted by Norma Grimm. He went to school in Belle Plaine. Gary was a meat cutter for 20 years at various businesses. Gary worked in maintenance for 14 years for the Cedar Rapids School and Alburnett School Districts. He was maintenance manager for 29 years at the Skogman Building, until he retired in 2018. Gary was a well know-known judge for the American Rabbit Breeders Association; he traveled to 38 states, Canada, and Japan doing shows. He judged many county 4-H and state fair shows. Having judged 44 years, he was granted a Lifetime Judges License by the ARBA and a Lifetime Membership. He did many local, state, and national rabbit shows, and has served on various local and national committees including District Director for the ARBA.
He enjoyed many hobbies. Raising rabbits, ducks, growing violets, enjoyed feeding the birds and watching the wildlife that wandered through the yard. He collected Bugs Bunny memorabilia and had a toy farm collection. He loved farm life as a child when staying with his grandparents on the farm. Gary and Elsie spent time driving through the countryside taking pictures of thousands of barns. He enjoyed gardening, raising many flowers with the favorite being the lilies. He was an avid reader of Old Western Novels and loved Western movies. He always enjoyed and had an appreciation for many things.
He grew up in Belle Plaine and lived for many years north of Cedar Rapids. He first married Joyce Zeman, they had 2 daughters, Peggy (Justy), Tracy, and son John. He later married Elsie Garrett and gained 2 stepsons, Ron and Rick Garrett.
Preceding Gary in death are his mother, Yvonne Grimm Woodward and adoptive father Norman Grimm, stepfather, Bob Woodward, sister Linda Irons, sister-in-law Jean Grimm, and infant twins Michael and Eric Garrett.
Survivors include his wife Elsie of 36 years, daughters, Peggy Griffin, St. Paul, MN., Tracy (Rod) Hansen, Audubon, IA, son John (Michelle) Grimm of Manchester, IA, stepsons, Ron (Rene’e) Garrett, Center Point, IA, and Rick Garrett, Cedar Rapids, IA. Brothers Jeff Grimm, Urbandale, IA, Norman Grimm, Marion, IA, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. He was with family and passed peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital. The Family thanks the doctors and nurses for his great care.
He will be greatly missed by his loved ones and dog Betsy.
Memorials may be made to Iowa Barn Foundation, P.O. Box 436, Nevada, Iowa 50201, in memory of Gary.
Memorial service will be held on Thursday October 1. 2026. At Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, at 11:00 a.m. , where a visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until service time. Inurnment will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.