Grummer, James William

James William Grummer, 91, of DeWitt, formerly of Cedar Rapids, joined his Heavenly Father on Jan. 5, 2012, following a stroke.Visitation will be held at Schultz Funeral Home in DeWitt from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9. A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Mound, with the Rev. Arthur Rickman officiating.Visitation will continue at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, 1221 First Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a graveside service at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at 3:30 p.m. Schultz Funeral Home in DeWitt and Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel in Cedar Rapids are caring for the arrangements.

Survivors include his three sons, Donald (Pamela) of Orange, Calif., Duane (Jan) of Danville, Calif., and Gary (Mary) of Madison, Wis.; his four grandchildren, Deanna Boustead(Scott), Bryan (Jamie), Colleen Co (John) of California and Ericka Page (Chris) of Bettendorf; and five great-grandchildren, Kira and Landon Boustead, Casey Grummer, Adam Co of California and Jace Page of Bettendorf.

James was born Jan. 17, 1920, to William and Louise (Schroeder) Grummer, in Luzerne, Iowa. He married Wilma Rinderknecht on Sept. 24, 1941, and shared a loving marriage for 58 years until her death on Oct. 30, 1999. After graduation from Belle Plaine High, he farmed the Grummer family farm near Luzerne until 1948, then farmed near Fairfax until 1970, when he and Wilma moved to Cedar Rapids.

In his youth he was active in 4-H, serving as Benton County president (1940), and during his farming years he was involved in Farm Bureau, being elected as Linn County president (1966-67).

When James discontinued farming, he was selected as supervisor/distributor for O's Gold Seed Co. in Eastern Iowa. His work with O's Gold resulted in many awards and extended travel until his full retirement in 1986.

He and Wilma continued their travels, enjoyed family and retirement until Wilma's death.

James moved to DeWitt and was married to Alta Mae Dosland for nine years. He then moved to Claddagh Towers, where he met his companion of two years, Lois Dooley, who cared for and comforted him at his time of death.

He enjoyed DeWitt community activities, especially his membership and many friends at the Lions Club.

He was dedicated to his Lutheran Church and was very active at St. Paul's (Luzerne), St. Stephens (Atkins), Trinity (Cedar Rapids) and Immanuel (Grand Mound). He was a man of great faith, a regular attendee at Bible class and held many leadership positions in these churches. His participation in his church and his generosity will be missed.

Preceding him in death were his parents (Bill and Louise), his wife (Wilma), and his three brothers (Paul, Robert and Eugene).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Lutheran Hour, American Cancer Society or a hospice care center.

“The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Published Jan. 8, 2012, in The Gazette