Douglas Jay Grimm

Douglas Jay Grimm, 68, passed away peacefully with family on Monday, July 22, 2024, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, with Mark Doebel conducting the service at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave. North, Clear Lake. Following the service, family and friends are invited to take a lake lap and then gather at Rumorz Bar & Grill, 1210 South Shore Drive, for a reception honoring Doug.

A visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 16, from 5-7 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in the care of Desiree Vorland.  

Douglas Jay Grimm was born on Dec. 24, 1955, at Mercy Hospital in Mason City; the son of Jay and Virginia (Ashland) Grimm. Doug attended Clear Lake Schools. Doug owned and operated Grimm Roofing and Grimm Snow Removal. He also worked at Liqui Grow in Clear Lake for several years. He was blessed with a daughter, Desiree, whom he loved and adored.

Doug had a deep love for all things in nature, he enjoyed looking at the clouds and the crops “knee high by July” and feeling the wind in his hair. He liked to go camping, fishing, ice fishing, drag racing, dirt track racing and attending Grateful Dead concerts.

Doug’s greatest passion was riding Harley Davidson motorcycles; on which he traveled to places like South Dakota, Montana and Florida. His daughter, Desiree, has the fondest memories of riding with her dad on the gas tank of his 1981 Shovelhead. Doug left no detail behind with his bikes as he decorated them with beautiful paint jobs and modded them out for speed and sound.

In the 1980s, Doug started traveling out west to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. Wherever Doug went, he made lifelong friends and he often recruited friends to travel with and enjoy his passions with him. In 1990, Doug began selling blankets out of the back of a truck on his travels which led to him eventually working for Trevino’s Leather on-site outside of Deadwood, S.D.. He was one of the family at Trevino’s and returned for the next 31 years. To this day, friends continue to visit Trevino’s shop. Doug also traveled to Daytona Beach Bike Week in Florida selling the Trevino family’s leather goods. Doug had a zest for the fast lane but at the end of the day, it was the smell of the pines and the babbling of the creek where he camped that called him back year after year. Doug stayed closer to home for the last three years and was deeply missed.

Doug’s greatest love was spending time with Desiree (Peach), Eric and his grandson Gunder (Buckie/Guns). He lived his life to the fullest but burning up back tires on his motorcycle wasn’t the only passion he had. He was a caregiver at heart. A day wasn’t complete without a stop to check on his mother, a wake-up call to his daughter or a roll on the floor with his grandson. He loved being a father. No matter where he was in life, he always found time to be there for his daughter. Desiree aspires to live life to the fullest and cherish her loved ones just like her dad.

Doug had a way of connecting with people that made them feel very special. He would greet you with his bountiful smile, a wave or a loud call out of your name or special nickname he gave you. Entering a social gathering or a restaurant like the Pastime or Half Moon with Doug was like walking in with a movie star. His charisma and energy made everyone feel loved and made every moment shine more brightly. Doug had a presence everywhere he went. This man was loved beyond words and will be missed with the same magnitude. 

Doug is survived by his daughter, Desiree (Eric) Vorland; grandson, Gunder Douglas Vorland; brothers, Lowell (Carrie) Grimm and Chris (Mary) Grimm; step-daughter, Delishia (Matthew) Williams; step-grandchildren, Desiree and Irie Williams; nephews and nieces, Thomas Grimm, Christina (Seth) Johnson, Hannah Grimm, Katie (Colton) Bean, Carly (Brennan) Reynolds; great-nieces and great-nephew, Ellie, Lainey and Sloane Johnson; Hudson Bean along with numerous friends. 

Doug is preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Virginia Grimm.

Doug’s family would like to thank the in-home caregivers that helped Doug maintain his independent lifestyle the last seven months, as well as Dr. Amir Sajadian and Amy Jasperson at Mercy One in Mason City for the compassionate care provided to Doug and his family.

“Dance for those who can’t. Be Grateful” -Doug Grimm

Ward Van Slyke is in charge of arrangements.