Page three of the Manning Monitor November 2 & 9, 2006
Grimm Family
Sue (Grimm) Bower, a 1977 MHS graduate recently passed
away - at too young of an age. In 2003 her brother Jon, a 1970 MHS graduated died too
young also. In 1990 he married Deb Harvey in Las Vegas. He was an avid outdoorsman, a
trucker, and owned Grimm's Bar.
Losses like this can challenge the strength of a family. If we dig deep into the Grimm
family history we see a family that has been very active in the Manning community and
defenders of our country. In 1999 Sue and her husband Dale had twins Christine and
Carsen. When these two little ones get old enough to understand they will have lots of
reasons to be proud of the family they were born into.
Sharon (Grimm) MacDonald-Williams of Manning, the surviving sibling of Sue and Jon,
carries on the family tradition and history here in Manning. Sharon and her husband Tom
have been active in community affairs. They owned and operated the Corner Cafe for 17
years. Tom joined the Fire Department in 1978 and was secretary for many years. Sharon
was active in the Garden Club and Community Chest board and also served on the Rec
Center board.
The Grimm children's parents were Clousie & Betty (Grelck) Grimm. Clousie and
Betty (MHS 1941) both served in the military during WWII. Clousie was the son of Edward and
Dorothea (Vinke) Grimm. He owned/operated "Grimm's Place" and was mayor for three
terms. Betty worked for several implement dealers and lastly the Manning Monitor.
Grandparents
Sharon's maternal grandparents were Henry &
Blanche (Hays) Grelck. Henry was the son of John and Maggie (Grube) Grelck. I know a
little about Maggie's ancestry since her parents were Henry & Ida (Kusel) Grube. Ida
was a sister to my great-grandfather William Kusel. Henry Grelck was inducted into the
U.S. Army on April 21, 1917, at Omaha, Nebraska. From April 18, 1918, to November 11,
1918, he served on the American front in France on the right flank of operations in St.
Mikiel Salient service with the 8th French Army and 1st and 2nd American Armies.
Corporal Grelck was last assigned to the 24th Anti Aircraft Battery (one of the first
anti-aircraft battalions in history), 1st Anti Aircraft and attained the qualifications of 1st
Class Gunner on March 1, 1918. He was discharged March 25, 1919. He was a charter
member and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517. Henry was a
senior at Manning High School when he volunteered with a group of Manning boys who
left together by train on April 19, 1917.
World Champs
Henry was a member of the Manning Fire Department
Running team. In 1913 they won permanent ownership of the Iowa State cup holding the
world champion time for the race.
The picture above was taken on Third Street looking southeast toward East Street. The old
Art Gruhn house and farmplace is in the left rear. The original Lutheran Church is in the
right rear. The steeple was removed from this building and turned into a house and moved
to the present location of the Rose Mary Drees home on Sue Street.
Military
Top: Clousie, Melvin, Paul; Bottom: Willis, George.
Clousie and four of his brothers served during WWII. Pfc. Paul Grimm, age 37, enlisted in May 1942; S/Sgt. George Grimm, 27, enlisted in the Marines in January 1941; S/Sgt. Clousie Grimm, 29, went into service in July 1941; Sgt. Melvin Grimm, 35, went into service in February 1943; T-5 Willis Grimm, 21, went into service in February 1943.
School History
Sharon & Tom appreciate family and community
history. In 2003 they let me go through their photos and below are just some of the great
historical pix they have kept in the family to preserve our heritage. Please take
some time to find those old school pix of your parents/grandparents/great-grandparents
and contact Dave Kusel so we can start editing them for the Manning School history book.
Faculty 1911-12: J.W. Meyers, Velma Suter, Edna Coomes, Elizabeth Follen,
Bertha Mallette, Lena West, Jessie Atherton, Lettie Condiff, Verna Bentley, Blanch Toohey,
Eleanor Ohms, Saddie Fisher (Sadie was Kindergarten teacher of Art & Ila Rix). We
are not 100% sure the names are in proper order, plus there is one name missing.
The second school built in 1907.
7 members of the class of 1912 -- back to front, left row: Peter Hansen & Lola
Moerke; middle: Robert Schoening, Erna Schoening, Margaret Heinrichs;
right: William Reinhold, Charles Torpy; missing: Clara Grau, Orma Long.
1915 Seniors: Walter Grau, Herbert Blair, George Weidner, Hilda Ohde, Minnie
Potthast, Ruth Rogers, Irene Grantz, Rose Hinz, Clara Puck, Alma Rohr, Milda Schelldorf,
Hilda Ohde, Cecelia Addison, Sarah Campbell
The "brand new" high school in 1918. The Rec Center Racquetball court and swimming
pool now stand in this location along Highway 141.
1915 basketball team: Robert ?Dethlefs?, George Weidner, Henry Grelck, Herbert
Blair, Walter Grau
Unknown 1917 football player with the name "Mike" on the photo.
Note: On November 14, 2006, I received this message over the Internet - "Mike" the football player in the
9 Nov Monitor is my uncle, Marvin "Mike" Meyers. Son of Henry W. Meyers and my
mother's brother. He graduated with the class of 1918. More info if you need. Donn Kelsey,
El Dorado Hills, CA.
1918-19 Sophomore class -- back: Louise Meyer, Edna Sheffler, Hilda
Frahm, Willis Scott, Mary Hagedorn, Evelyn Koon, Hattie Wiebers, Irene Mayer;
front: Teddie Rix, Arthur Curtis, Earl Barsby, Emil Feldman, Meeves Wiese,
Travers Isley, Ed Patton, Ed Steen, Lauren Hansen, Alvin Edwards (Travers' father was
the Methodist Church Minister).