Dale E. Grimm's Obituary
Dale Eugene Grimm Sr., age 85, passed away in Hesperia, MI on Sunday, September 17, 2023. He was born on February 28, 1938 in Muskegon, MI to George and Doreen (Goranson) Grimm, their third of nine children. Dale attended Muskegon Public Schools, where he met the love of his life, Evelyn Engquist. The two wed, starting their lives together, on September 7, 1957.
Shortly following his graduation, he started his career as an apprentice carpenter at Muskegon Construction Company. His love for his craft was fueled by a very special cabinet making instructor at Muskegon High School. There, he was also a proud three-year starter on the Big Reds varsity football team. He knew from a young age of building shacks that he wanted to be a carpenter, and a proud carpenter he was. At the remarkable age of 21, he started building his and Evelyn’s first home, a symbol of his unwavering determination and dedication to providing for his family.
In 1984, Dale, along with his brother Bill and friend Walt Dahms, saw a need in the community for a company dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, creating Muskegon Quality Builders, a family company still today and a leader in construction services in West Michigan. Dale’s hammer was placed on so many buildings we enjoy in Muskegon and the surrounding areas today. He was a teacher of the trade, and passed his skills on to so many.
Dale loved working. He had an unparalleled work ethic, never missing a day’s work. Whether in Michigan or Florida, he devoted countless hours to building, fixing, painting, and tinkering. To Dale, work was not a chore, but a labor of love and there was always work to be done.
Dale and Evelyn enjoyed spending the last 22 Michigan winters at their home in Zephyrhills, Florida, where he stayed busy with his weekly bowling league, daily noon pool games, and afternoon poker and cribbage games. He lived most of his life in Muskegon, but later retired to his piece of paradise on McLaren Lake in Hesperia, a place big enough to fish, play ladder jack and bumper pool, and go for boat and 4-wheeler rides. Each home Dale built or renovated was carefully designed to be a welcoming haven for his beloved family, and the many friends who became an integral part of their lives. His most cherished time spent was at his home, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Dale Grimm leaves behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and a boundless love for his family and friends. His memory will forever be cherished by those fortunate enough to have known him. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Evelyn Grimm; children, Kelly (Kim) Osterhart, Jill (Tony) Lisman, Dale Jr. “Butch” (Elizabeth) Grimm, and Thomas “Thom” (Tiffany) Grimm; grandchildren, Kevin (Jamie), Kurt (Mandy), and Kyle (Janna) Osterhart; Sarah (Jacob) Acker, AJ (Sophia), Zachary, Wyatt, and Dylan Lisman; Travis, Ryan, and Jacob Grimm; Daniel (Kerri) and Rachael Stapley; Austin, Andrew, and Ella Grimm; great-grandchildren Conner, Morgan, and Hudson Osterhart, Lance and Oakley Osterhart, Claire and Emery Osterhart; brothers, Rodger (Faye) Grimm, Raymond (Joy) Grimm, William (Karen) Grimm; sisters, Diane Grimm, Carolyn Pavlak, and Valerie (Bruce) Anderson; brother-in-law, Gifford “Jim” Black Jr.; and a wide circle of friends and extended family members who will carry his memory in their hearts.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Charles and Lena Engquist; brother, George (Mary Jo) Grimm Jr.; and sister, Barbara Black.
Visitation with his family will be taking place from 5:00 - 8:00 PM Thursday, September 21, 2023. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 22, 2023. All services will be held at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231-798-1100). Burial will take place in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dale’s name to Pioneer Resources or the Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore. Share memories with the family at their online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com
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