Mary Gail Grimes

Mary was born December 20, 1939, in Marquette, the first child and only daughter of Charles and Agnes (Pleau) Schwemin. Her early years at home were spent helping to raise her younger brothers, where she developed a sound work ethic and learned responsibility, both qualities that would serve her well for the rest of her life. Mary was a good student and, following graduation from Bishop Baraga High School in 1957, she was employed for a time as a secretary with UP Office Supply. On October 17, 1959, Mary was united in marriage to Robert S. Grimes at St. Christopher Catholic Church. The couple made their first home in what was known as the Bancroft Location in Marquette Township. Throughout the years, Mary balanced the duties of wife, mother, and homemaker with secretarial employments at County Plumbing and Heating, Industrial Piping, and finally at Feltner Plumbing and Heating. She retired from Feltner’s in September of 2000 following 20 years of service as secretary-office manager. Mary was very family centered and was a loving, very supportive influence to her children and grandchildren, always interested in their activities and always available to them. She never gave up when it came to family.She was a talented cook, enjoyed sewing, knitting, and reading, and was generous to others with her time and talent. Mary was a member of St. Louis the King Catholic Church in Harvey, St. Louis Women’s Club, and, in earlier years, the Harvey Homemakers.

Mary is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bob; her children, Cheryl (George) Cowell of Menominee, Robert “Scot” (Anne) Grimes of Boston, MA, Stephen (Jackie Gobert) Grimes of Marquette, and Dean (Shelly) Grimes of Green Bay, WI; her grandchildren, Alyssa, Danae, Abigail, Justin (Victoria), Mia, Michael, and Rachael; brothers, Paul (Nancy) Schwemin of Appleton, WI and Kenneth (Sue) Schwemin of Marquette; a sister-in-law, Carmen Schwemin of Fond du Lac, WI; special friends, Patti and Frank Malette and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, John Schwemin.

The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Louis the King Catholic Church, Harvey, on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am with Rev. Glenn Theoret, pastor, as celebrant. Pallbearers will be Dean, and Steve Grimes, George Cowell, Ken Schwemin, Frank Malette and Paul Schwemin.

A reception will follow in Father Gauthier Hall. Interment will be made in the Rosary Garden at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Parkinson’s Association, UP Home Health and Hospice, or the Norlite Activity Fund. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the Marquette General Hospital ICU staff along with the entire staff at Norlite Nursing Center and the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice for the wonderful care extended to Mary and her family. They would also like to thank Drs. Shahbazi and Politi for their years of care for Mary along with Mary’s very special cousins Carol and Don Koski.

The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderfuneralhome.com.