Katherine (Keeler) Grimes

Katherine (Keeler) Grimes of Mankato, Kansas, was born to Roy and Margaret (Chilcott) Keeler on July 31, 1918, in rural Jewell County, Kansas, and went to be with the Lord and Savior on December 13, 2015, at the Jewell County Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, Mankato, Kansas, at the age of 97 years, 4 months, and 12 days.

Katherine grew up in Jewell County with three brothers and two sisters. She graduated from Montrose High School in 1936. Katherine taught school for only one year. She married Gordon C. Grimes on July 31, 1938, at Beloit, Kansas. To this union four children were born – John, Marilyn Sue, Margaret and Robert.

Katherine was a co-owner and co-operator with Cora Carter, of the K &C Café, in Mankato. Katherine thoroughly enjoyed the work, the people she employed, and the customers who returned day after day for a good meal and the kindhearted jokes that would sometimes arise. Such as string in the pancakes, saran wrap in the sandwich, and the stories that were told.

Katherine was a member of the Harmony United Methodist Church, Montrose Community Club, and Neighborhood Coffee Club. She was also known for a huge smile, which she wore daily from early in the morning to late in the evening.

She was preceded in death by her husband – Gordon on August 29, 2002; her parents – Roy and Margaret Keeler; her sister – Betty Webber; three brothers – Nelson, Don, and Lee Keeler, who was lost in World War II; grandson – Mark Colson, and granddaughter – Suzanne Grimes.

Katherine is survived by her children – John and wife, Rella Grimes of Kettle Falls, Washington, Marilyn and husband, LeRoy Eaton of Mankato, Kansas, Margaret and husband Richard Colson of Mankato, Kansas, and Robert and wife, Genny Grimes of Cheney, Washington; sister (only surviving sibling) - Doris Jean Jacobs of Tucson, Arizona; 10 grandchildren – Diana and husband, John Boley, Alan Eaton, Mike and wife, Linda Eaton, Crystal and husband, Mitch Cosand, Nicholas Colson and fiancé Katherine Millias, Brenda Grimes, Kathy Grimes and fiancé, Bill Gilbert, Heidie Smith, Samantha and husband, Sergio Marroquin, and Christine and husband, Philip Bell; 16 great-grandchildren – Ross and wife, Carrie Jeffery, Jaci and husband, Evan Firner, Cortney and husband, Jason Garwood, Kevin Boley, Dustin Boley, Cody Eaton and fiancé, Cindy Zara, Zachary Eaton, Jessica Eaton and Chris Kirkpatrick, Heather Eaton, Ky and husband, Riley Scholtz, Clay Cosand, Conner Cosand, Evelyn Margaret Colson, Logan Herriman, William Smith, Charity Smith, Sergio Marroquin, Jr. Austin Marroquin, and Aidan Marroquin; 9 great-great-grandchildren – Allie and Logan Jeffery, Maddox Firner, Rylee, Harper and Kyndall Garwood, Teagan, Emmett, and Katrina Eaton-Kirkpatrick; and a host of other relatives, friends, and past customers.

Celebratin of life service for Katherine (Keeler) Grimes will be (was) Thursday, December 17, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., at the Harmony United Methodist Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Mrs. Pat Grout will be (was) the organist, and soloist Mr. Philip Menhusen will sing (sang) “Amazing Grace” and a duet of “Mansion on a Hill Top” will be sung (was sung) By Mr. Philip Menhusen and Pastor Gerry Sharp. Casket bearers will be (was) Mike Eaton, Zach Eaton, Cody Eaton, Ross Jeffery, Mitch Cosand, and Nick Colson. Visitation will be (was) Wednesday, December 16, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to: Harmony United Methodist Church, or the Harmony United Methodist Church Bell Choir for music. Online condolences maybe left at www.melbymortuary.com. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas was in charge of arrangements.