Obituaries : Elizabeth Marie (Grunewald) Kimm

UPDATED:

Elizabeth Marie (Grunewald) Kimm, 76, of Blairstown died of dementia related complications, on December 14, 2023, surrounded by her children and under the care of Advanced Healthcare Hospice in Overland Park, Kansas.

A memorial service will be held in June. The church. Arrangements are with Phillips Funeral Home in Blairstown.

She is survived by her husband Don Kimm; daughters Cyrena Melich, Jennifer Whelchel, Lisa (Craig) Peterson and son Andrew (Natalie) Whelchel; grandchildren Nick and Sadie Peterson, Vivienne Krebs, Kyle Bos, Aurora and George Whelchel.

Elizabeth Marie Kimm was born on August 21, 1947 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Josephine (Scalissi) Grunewald and Henry J. Grunewald. She grew up in Blairstown, Iowa and graduated from Blairstown High School in 1965.

Taking after her mother, she had a lifelong love of music. She started playing piano in early elementary school and the organ at the Blairstown Presbyterian Church at 9 years old. She spent the rest of her life playing the organ for church services, weddings, funerals, and at Blairstown American Legion events. At home, she always had the radio on in the kitchen and in the car. The soundtrack of her life was a mixed tape of Led Zeppelin, 80's hits, 90's bass, church hymns, Christmas classics, and dance music.

Beth was an Iowa State Cyclone and member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. After attending Iowa State University, she traveled the world as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines during the Golden Age of Flying. She frequently had fun taking her mother back to Italy and Sicily and would retell many stories of celebrities on her flights and the immense fun she had with her favorite co-workers.

Beth lived in Texas for over a decade. While there, she was busy raising her family, being active at Conroe First Presbyterian Church and a member of the philanthropic social society Eta Theta.

Beth eventually moved back to Blairstown where she continued her parents' legacy of prioritizing family, community, and education. Beth was a lifelong member of the Blairstown Presbyterian Church, member and former Secretary of the Blairstown Library Board, Blairstown American Legion Auxiliary, and the Blairstown Community Foundation, as well as volunteering at many Benton Community School events.

She spent over 25 years working for the Benton Community School District and loved working one-on-one with children who needed extra help. Beth also spent 20 years working part-time at the Younkers department store where she had a knack for turning customers into her friends.

Beth was a beautiful person both inside and out. She absolutely loved her Blairstown community, spending time with her children and grandchildren, entertaining in her home, and giving of herself. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Trudy.

Online condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com