Bernard Grimes

Seward — Bernard Glen Grimes, 83, of Seward, formerly of Chambers, died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 at Memorial Hospital in Seward.

Visitation was held Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a prayer service.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 at Faith Community Church in O'Neill. Rev. Paul Harder will officiate. Due to the current pandemic, Bernard's family requests that all attendees wear a mask.

Burial will be around 2 p.m. in the Chambers Cemetery in Chambers on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Bernard was born on June 15, 1938 in the ranch house that he spent almost all his life, near Chambers, to Glen and Pauline (Russell) Grimes. He attended Valley Center Country School through eighth grade, then graduated from Chambers High School in 1956.While in high school, he was active in 4-H. After graduation, he worked on the Grimes Ranch.

Bernard met Ruth Kelly on a blind date with his good friend Dale Woods.The couple later married on June 25, 1960 at the United Methodist Church in Page. To this union were born five children Debbie, Randy, Jeff, Dale and Karla.  

They bought their ranch in 1962, where they raised sheep and cattle.The couple enjoyed giving tours to local children in order to show off the baby calves and sheep. 

Bernard was also a good welder and was called upon by many neighbors to help with repairs. He never truly retired, after selling his own cattle, he rented his pasture out. Bernard and Ruth moved to Seward in 2019.

Bernard was a member of the Chambers Fire Department for 25 years and was also the treasurer for a time. He was a member of the Holt County Extension Board, a 4-H leader and a volunteer at the Holt County Fair.  

Bernard enjoyed camping, traveling and fishing trips to Minnesota.

Bernard will be missed by many and was known for being a strong, hardworking, kind and caring person.

Bernard is survived by his wife of 61 years Ruth Grimes of Seward; four children Debbie Grimes of Lincoln, Jeff (Jonna Straight) Grimes of Grand Island, Dale (Doreen) Grimes of Seward and Karla Grimes-Warner of Seward; honorary daughter Allison (Joel) Berndt of Manhattan, IL; seven grandchildren Heather (Jake) Eckles, Bryant Grimes, Jesse (Lexi) Grimes, Connor Warner, Desiree (Jeremy) Kunzman, Tori Bertram and Kami (Treven) Thies; one sister Edith “Muffy” (Curt) Justin of Chambers; one sister-in-law Beverly Hansen of Wayne; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Randy (Annette) Grimes in 2019, one brother Richard Grimes in 2020 and one sister Darlene (Ralph) Adams in 2019.