John Lester Grim

John Lester Grim

Johnston

John Lester Grim, age 66, of Johnston, Iowa, formerly of Washington, Iowa, passed away Thursday, December 12, 2024, following a four-month battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington. Calling hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday evening. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for Unity Point Hospice, Iowa Parrot Rescue, and Manatee Rescue. Online condolences may be sent for John’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

John was born August 15, 1958, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Lester “Les” and Dorothy (Rickertsen) Grim. He graduated from Washington High School in 1976. John continued his education obtaining both EMT and Paramedic certifications. He was united in marriage to Peggy Collett on October 6, 1990, in Washington.

John lived most of his life in the Washington Community before moving to the Des Moines area in 2001. John served as an EMT and Paramedic for Washington County and, earlier in life, also worked at former Washington staples including the Blue Note Café, Brown’s Shoe Fit, and Wilson’s Concrete. John also worked as a Correctional Officer at the Iowa Medical Classification Center until health forced his early retirement.

John was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in West Des Moines, Iowa. His adventurous spirit led John in many pursuits, including earning a pilot’s license, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles. He was a member of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and enjoyed going on organized rides, including the annual Bless Your Heart ride. John loved bulldogs, raising several, and adored manatees, snorkeling with them many times. He was also a member of the American Caged Bird Society and enjoyed the companionship of his feathered friends.

John is survived by his wife Peggy of Johnston, Iowa, three sons: Jeremiah (Michelle) Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa; Justin (Ashley) Johnson of Odessa, Texas; and Quinn (Nancy) Johnson of Burr Ridge, Illinois, three grandchildren: Joclyn, Audrey, and Josephine; two sisters: Paula (Frank) Sanders of Fruitland, Idaho and twin-sister Joyce (Marty) Westen of Washington, Iowa; brother-in-law, Dick Westphal of Roseville, Minnesota; and brother-in-law, Don (Cindy) Lewis of Washington, Iowa.

John was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters Sheryl Lewis and Barbara Westphal.