Tess, age 90, passed away at Monroe Care Center in Albia surrounded by family.
She was born to William Martin and Mary Ann (Bingaman) Flahive in Weller, Iowa on Oct. 13, 1926. She attended Lovilia School and graduated from high school with the class of 1945.
She worked in Des Moines as a file clerk for an insurance company until she married Emmett Grimes at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Lovilia in November 1946. They were blessed with four children: Bob, Kathy, John, and Barb. They were married 34 years when he died in 1981.
After raising her children, Tess worked at Chamberlain’s factory in Albia and then at HyVee in the bakery until her retirement.
Tess was an active member of the Catholic church over the years in Lovilia, Albia, and Knoxville and served in the Altar and Rosary Society of all three. She also served by bringing communion to the sick.
Her enjoyments were: sewing, playing canasta, gardening, canning, dancing, and entertaining guests on Sunday evenings.
Tess is survived by her three children: Bob (Beverly) Grimes of Agency, Mo.; Kathy (Steve) Herwehe of Cedar Rapids, Ia; and Barb (Joe) Crall of Albia; eleven grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren. She is also survived by four sisters: Marjorie (Edward) Martin of Cave Creek,AZ; Florence (Donald)Welch of Winterset, IA; Catherine (Jack) Thomas of San Marcos, CA; and Delores Littlejohn of West Des Moines, IA. She leaves one brother, Jim (Diane) Flahive of Albia, IA.
Preceding her in death were her husband, parents, son, a grandson, three brothers (Edward, William and John Flahive) and four sisters (Madeline Stanley, Jo Ann Derby, 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 Volkmer, Father Mark Yates, and Father Kevin Anstey officiating. Burial will follow services at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Albia.
Visitaion will be Sunday, July 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia. Her family will be present throughout that time to greet family and friends. There will be a rosary at 4 p.m. led by St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society and a wake service will be at 6 p.m.
A memorial has be established to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
May she rest in peace.