Gerry Ann Grymes
September 9, 1941 – March 23, 2023
Gerry Ann Grymes, 81, of Hamilton passed away at Discovery Care Center in Hamilton.
Gerry was born September 9, 1941, in Santa Cruz, California, the daughter of the late Gerald C. and Margaret E. Bales Stanley. When Gerry was young, her parents were asked if she could be the child model for Sunbeam Great Company, but her father said no. During WWII, Gerry’s father flew a B17. He was the only married man on the crew, and when it came time to name the plane, the crew voted to name it “The Miss Gerry Ann.”
Gerry’s youth was spent in California. Her sister, Patty, was born five years later and Barbara five years after that. They were known in the neighborhood as the “five and dime girls.” She was a voracious reader since childhood and always enjoyed her English classes. Gerry started oil painting at a young age and was a very skilled artist. Her first job at 17 was as a typist for an attorney. She spent the rest of her working life as a typist primarily for the Government, the majority of the time for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Gerry married Robert “Bob” Grymes in 1965 in California. He adopted Gerry’s daughters, Jodi and Leslie, from her first marriage, and just over a year later her son, Robert “Tom” Grymes, Jr. was born. During their marriage, the family lived in California, Texas, Alaska, Virginia, Oregon, Louisiana, Washington, and Montana. As the children were growing up, Gerry was active with them. She served as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She made sure that the kids were involved in activities while she still worked full-time. Gerry and Bob also welcomed Gerry’s mother, Margaret, to live with them for several years while the kids were in school.
In 1986, Gerry was diagnosed with MS following the death of her daughter Jodi. She kept a positive attitude and struggled with the disease in various ways. Overall, she coped with her situation very well and remained active in several church groups and with the MS Support Group for many years. While living in Montana, Gerry was active in several churches. She is currently a member of the Corvallis Community Church.
Shortly after she and Bob divorced, Gerry’s caregiver, Mary Benson, became her roommate. Gerry and Mary were very active around town and supported each other over their 20-plus years of living together. When Gerry lost her ability to walk and started to struggle with dementia, she moved to Discovery Care Center where she has lived for the last five years. The staff at Discovery Care Center provided her with a loving home, fun activities, and the best quality of life that she could have hoped for.
Gerry was preceded in death by her daughters, Jodi Lynn Grymes and Leslie Ann Lindell Strachan.
She is survived by her son, Tom (Carron) Grymes of Hamilton; grandchildren, Michael (Danelle) Lindell of Eugene, Oregon, Nikki (Peter) Gorz of Romeoville, Illinois, Kyla Grymes of Great Falls, Montana and KaSondra Grymes of Hamilton, Montana; great-grandchildren, Maggie, James, and Aradia; sisters, Patty Berry of Ohio and Barbara (Patrick) Waller of California; Uncle Bob Stanley of California; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Private family interment took place at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton. A celebration of life service was also held at a later date. The family suggests memorials to the Bitterroot Health Foundation to assist with the building of the Cancer and Infusion Center.
Stephen P. “Steve” Axelson
April 10, 1948 – April 14, 2023
Longtime Butte funeral director, Steve Axelson of Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services, passed away on the evening of April 14 in Butte, surrounded and lifted up by his loving family. He was 75.
Steve was born on April 10, 1948, in Butte to Arlo and Wilda (Parker) Axelson and attended local schools graduating from Butte High School in 1966.
After attending Montana State University, Steve served his country with The United States Navy during the Vietnam Era being honorably discharged as a Senior Damage Control Officer.
Following his military service, he returned to college at Montana Tech and graduated from The San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in June of 1973. Following graduation, he returned to Butte to join his family in funeral service, a career that lasted 50 years. He was also the owner and operator of Butte Crematories in Butte.
Steve was very active in community organizations having served as Master of Butte Lodge #22 A.F. & A.M. during the lodge’s centennial year in 1976. He and his wife, Lorie, were very involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Butte and were honored as Montana’s Big Couple of The Year by Governor Marc Racicot. He was a charter member of Sunrise Kiwanis and had served as President in 2011–2012.
A superb woodworker, Steve created cherished works that he gave to all his family and friends. He was also a stained-glass artist and crafted windows that he would donate to various local charities to be auctioned at fundraisers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Mike Axelson and his parents-in-law, Mary Anderson and Gene Reed.
Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Lorie, brother and sister-in-law Jim and Janet Axelson, brothers in law and sisters in law Mike and Sally Reed, Kevin and Carol Reed, Dan Reed, Kelly and Bob Prystajko, Sandy Seccomb, Debbie and Chris Moore and Tracy and Mike Sheard. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews that he treated like his own children.
Services were conducted in Aldersgate United Methodist Church with Pastor Seth Leypoldt officiating. Entombment with Military Honors was in Mount Moriah Cemetery. Memorials are requested to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services is greatly privileged to care for Steve and his family. It is the greatest honor to care for those that came before us.
