Kim Grimes enjoys sports, whether playing, watching, coaching, or supporting her children while they coach. The Minnesota Vikings are her favorite team. Sports are very much a part of Kim’s life, as well as her family’s. She loves to be active, and when it is warm and the weather is nice, loves to be outside. Golfing, paddle boarding, working in the yard, exercising, playing games and cards, and reading are all things she enjoys. These activities are even more enjoyable when doing it with family.
The person she most enjoyed being with, even if we were just watching TV, was her husband. He unexpectedly passed away two days before Thanksgiving. Now Kim is trying to figure out a different life without him. All of the things that she loves doing will not be the same without him. She is trying to learn from messages that she has tried to instill in others, to be positive, keep pushing forward even though it will be tough, and enjoy the moments.
Kim has a wonderful family and great group of friends, and she’s so thankful for their support. Life would be much harder if they were not surrounding her with encouragement and love. She is so thankful for each and everyone of them, especially her children. They have shown time and time again, what wonderful, kind, caring, and hard working adults they are, which brings Kim so much joy.
About Kim Grimes
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am recently widowed. John and I had been married for 39 years and have 3 wonderful adult children; Kylsie, Austin, and Corbin. Corbin was recently married in June, to a wonderful girl, Megan. Kylsie lives in Minnesota, Austin in Indianapolis, and Corbin and Megan in Menomonee Falls. We all have rescue dogs, and when the kids are traveling, I take care of them. Which I love to do.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
I work at Merton Intermediate School as a Special Education Instructional Assistant with 5-8 graders. I coach the Arrowhead girls high school swim team and supervise the swim lesson program at Arrowhead. Most recently, due to the passing of my husband, I run his insurance business. I am actually a certified teacher, but when we moved here 22 years ago, I wanted a part-time job, so I started subbing at Merton. That turned into a temporary position in the Special Education department, which eventually turned into a full time position.
I was a swimmer, and two of my children were swimmers. Thirteen years ago, I was approached by a friend to help her coach the high school team. This lead to my summer job of supervising the lesson program at the high school. I periodically teach private swim lessons. All of these positions allow me to work with the younger generation, and help and encourage them. I feel that young people today are not given the encouragement, experiences, or support needed to navigate life, and I know I have a lot to offer them. If I can give them one thing to make them feel excited about the future, then I have accomplished what I set out to do.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I love working with children and teaching them skills to get through the ups and downs of life. Thinking positive, working hard, being successful, whatever that may be for that particular person, overcoming disappointment, believing in yourself, and living life to the fullest, are very important to me. I try to instill the importance of these qualities in the people I work with. Watching them grow mentally, emotionally, and physically gives me the energy and love to keep working with young people.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Learning how to believe in myself and be happy with who I am. Everyone has challenges throughout life, including myself, and I feel that the last several years I have developed a much better sense of who I am, and that I am a good person. Because of this, I am able to help others believe in themselves and feel good about who they are.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
When I hear from a past student or swimmer, and they tell me something I said or did impacted their life. My goal is to give students/swimmers tools for their tool box. When I hear that something I have said or did impacted them in a positive way, it brings joy to my heart.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
My future goal would be to continue working with young people and help them learn skills that will help them in life. I also would like to travel, mainly around the United States, to see and experience all of the wonderful things our country has to offer.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
People need to hear how much they are loved, that they are good, are capable of whatever they put their minds to, and that they can become or do most anything that they want. Encourage them, love them, and help them grow to be wonderful people by being you.
Kim Grimes & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
My close community are my friends, swimming parents, and the people I work with. You don’t always realize how much you are appreciated and loved until something tragic happens. I have felt all of that, and more, since my husbands passing. Every day, someone is checking on me, which I appreciate so much. Because of my jobs and involvement with various activities in the community, I have had the privilege of meeting and becoming friends with so many wonderful people. I know no one can be whole without the love and support of others, and my community has shown me that in so many ways. I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of each and everyone of them.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
Ruth Ann Ahnen is one of the most interesting people I have met in the community, and I am proud to say that she is my dear friend. She is knowledgeable about so many things, and she compliments my knowledge and strengths. I love to discuss health, politics, swimming, life, and so many other topics with her. She has made me grow as a person and helped me to be better in all things.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
Any place where I can sit outside and enjoy a beverage and/or food, is my favorite place.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Compassionate, supportive, and strong.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I won a hula hoop contest when I was 8.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
I love historical fiction books because I can learn something, as well as let the book take me away. Reading is my way of relaxing, and I enjoy most every book I read but one of my favorite books is a Wrinkle In Time.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Everyone that I come into contact with inspires me in some way. I learn something from each person, good and bad, and I try to apply those things to my life, so that I can be a better person and help others.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
Lemonade – it is sweet, a little tart, and brings a smile to my face.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
My husband, John. There are so many things that I would love to tell him, and I would love the opportunity to hug, kiss, and speak to him just one more time, even if it is for 5 minutes. Who knew at our young age that one of us would be gone so soon. We had so many plans for the future and left so many things unsaid. I want to tell him one more time how much I love him and how much I appreciate him.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I have a book called the Thousand Most Scenic Drives In The United States, and I would love to travel through at least 10% of them. I enjoy the outdoors, and would love to see the beauty of our country.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Being with my family, and the dogs, is what makes me the happiest. Whether we are playing games, golfing, or just talking, being with them brings me great joy.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Make the most out of every day. On days that are tough, look for the good things, and on days that are great, appreciate the moment.
