James David Grummett

James David Grummett died on January 31, 2018 at Carefree Assisted Living in Cook, MN after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's Dementia. A Memorial Service will be held at noon on Thursday February 22nd with visitation at 11am at the Virginia Elks Club. Military Honors will be accorded by the Virginia Honor Guard. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or to send condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.

Jim was born on September 9, 1940 in Duluth, MN to Earl and Margie (Temby) Grummett. After graduating from Two Harbors High School in 1958 Jim joined the U.S. Navy. He became a Radio/Crypto Operator on the USS Midway and traveled to many ports in the Pacific. This was quite an eye-opener for a boy from the North Shore of Lake Superior.

After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1962, Jim returned to Duluth and was employed at Willie's Transmissions. Working alongside his brother Phil he learned the transmission trade. He married Deedee Johnson in 1964 and became Dad to daughter Terry and son John. Son Kit was born in 1965.

Eventually, Jim and the family moved to Eveleth, MN. In 1971 Jim started his own business in Virginia, MN. Jim's Transmissions would operate for the next 44 years. Many people benefitted from Jim's expertise and from his generosity.

Jim enjoyed life to the fullest. He made and kept many friends over the years, some from his childhood. He had a wide variety of interests: fishing, hockey, camping, traveling, rebuilding cars, hunting and especially flying. In 1978 he bought his own plane - the Citabria 7GCBC. He loved flying to Canada to fish with his buddies at Bennie's cabin on Petit Lake.

In 1985, Jim met the love of his life Janet Eichholz; Jim married Janet on September 27, 1991. They would make their home in Britt, together raise Janet's children Heather and Joe, and have a wonderful life together for nearly 33 years.

The family would like to thank the staff of Carefree Living and Essentia Hospice for the care and support given to Jim and his family during his last days.

Jim is survived by his wife Janet; sister Shirley Armstrong of Panacea, FL, children: John (Gina) Grummett of ND; Kit Grummett of Virginia, MN; Heather (Tim Miller) Surla of Virginia, MN and Joe Surla of Hermantown, MN; grandchildren: Lindsay Grummett, Deedee (Jesse) Smith, Emily Grummett, Olivia Grummett, Madison Grummett, Noah Grummett, Sophia Grummett, Ever Bernthal and Apres Surla; great-grandchildren: Connor Grummett and Cash Grummett; sisters-in-law: Marilyn Rager, Susan (Dan) Hartman and Judy Venaas; brothers-in-law: Charles (Nancy) Eichholz and John Eichholz plus many nephews, nieces and extended family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Terry Baker, sisters Margie Collette and Lois Elliot, and brothers Edwin Burkland, Phil Burkland and Robert Burkland.

02/22/2018 at 12:00pm
Elks Lodge, North 5th Avenue West, Virginia, MN, USA

Visitation begins at 11:00 am

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