The old and the new

The Walker Rotary Club just lost a good share of it’s life’s blood. Thelma Grimley was the heart and soul of everything the organization stands for — service above self. Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International, would have been proud to know one who abided so diligently by his doctrine: one profits most who serves best.

Thelma had 27 years of perfect attendance in an organization that stood for everything she stood for, before she spent her last three years at an assisted living facility at May Creek in Walker. During those 27 years, she served Rotary in every capacity, actively, tirelessly and diligently, and still had time to run her own business as the sole owner of Leech Lake Realty.

I first learned of Thelma’s strong influence in Rotary when she emphatically said to me, “Just because you are president of our club does not mean you can give up being editor of our ‘Tebargemo.’” (Tebargemo is an Anishinaabe word for “message,” and it was the name of our weekly newsletter for members of our club.) To which I replied, “Okay, if you gather the news, I will put it together in a comic strip format like we have been doing.” Thelma was agreeable to that.

Raising three fine boys, John, Curt and Jeff, Thelma Grimley had to be accustomed to running the show. And she did so in a demanding and formidable manner, which was agreeable and congenial to everyone concerned. In addition to being active in Rotary, running her own real estate business and raising her three boys, Thelma also found time to paint, needlepoint, take care of her horses and still have time for her husband, John. John Grimley was another good share of the life’s blood of the Walker Rotary Club. John and I were honored to share a National Extension Award presented by Rotary International with John’s work in extending the Spirit of Rotary in Pequot Lakes and our extension in Vladivostok, Russia. However Thelma Grimley was very helpful with both.

The views and opinions expressed in the “The old and the new” column belong solely to the author, and not The Pilot-Independent or an organization, committee or individual.