Richard L. Grams
October 15, 1939 - October 07, 2020
Obituary
DEERFIELD - Richard Lloyd Grams, age 80, of Deerfield, Wis., died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at St. Mary’s Hospital of COVID-19.
Richard was born to Lloyd and Daisy (Kinney) Grams on Oct. 15, 1939, in Brainerd, Minn., growing up with siblings Lavonne Thesing of Brainerd, Minn., Ronald Grams of Pequot Lakes, Minn., Dianne Schlegel of Scandia, Minn., Jerry Grams of Edgerton, Wis., Glenda Hoheisel of Brainerd, Minn., and Darrell Grams of Rockland, Mich. He married Sandra Vaade in Madison, Wis., on May 13, 1961. He worked in auto and insurance sales before founding Greater Insurance Services, with small town agencies throughout Wisconsin. Richard served in the U.S. Air Force as an Airman Second Class from May 1961 to June 1962, stationed in Greenland.
Richard loved his siblings, children and grandchildren and used his time and energy to make their lives fun. With the help of his family he built a log cabin by himself on Squirrel Lake in Minocqua, and spent his summers fishing with the grandchildren, fixing the boats and docks and slides so that others could relax. He loved to travel with Sandra and enjoyed their home in Sun Lakes, Ariz. He was a natural boater, comfortable on everything from a catamaran to a canoe on Squirrel Lake, or a yacht on Lake Michigan. He made his home on a wooded hill outside of Deerfield, where many family members also live and spent the winters setting up sledding hills and snowmobile rides for a steady flow of family and visitors.
Richard is survived by his wife, Sandra; children, Todd (Laura) Grams of Cottage Grove, Steven (Laurie) Grams of Deerfield, Sherri (Bruce) Gjermo of Deerfield, Kristine (Matthew) Klein of Mendota Heights, Minn., and Susan (Alan) Mikkelson of Deerfield; as well as 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The family expresses their deep gratitude to the nurses and staff in the ICU at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison for their courageous and tender care.
A private family ceremony is planned on the hill in Deerfield. A donation to St. Paul’s Liberty Church in Deerfield is requested, in lieu of flowers.
Dick’s advice for living a good life was prioritizing Family, Faith and Work, in that order. We know that he is fishing with Daisy today in a better place. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
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deb schneider
Other •
Dick was a great boss and friend while I worked with him at GIS. He and his entire family where very supportive during my cancer treatments in 2003 and up to 2006 when I left to move to San Francisco, CA to be with my niece and watch her grow up as I had no kids or spouse. Dick was wonderful to work with and believed in my artistic talent along with my marketing skills. He totally supported our fundraising efforts for Juvenile Diabetes and we even placed 2nd place in the t-shirt competition. He also supported our 2 cookbooks for GIS with the donations going to American Cancer Society. He believed in giving back. I was lucky enough to know and care for his entire family. He was so blessed with his wonderful family. I wished I would have stopped to see him when I retired from UCSF Medical Center and returned in August 2019 to care for my parents full-time.
My sincere sympathy to all of his family. He is a light in heaven now and always.
Deb Schneider
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Emilia Topp-Johnson
Other •
On behalf of Anna’s Arctic group, we are deeply sorry for your loss. We are sending love and strength, and are holding your family in our thoughts.
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Tom Schwarz
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I first met Dick about ten years ago. At first it was a business call, but a friendship developed. I looked forward to our lunch dates where we shared stories and ideas. I am forever grateful for the wisdom and knowledge he passed along to me. My sympathy and prayers go out to the family. Peace. Tom Schwarz
KZ
Kenny and Debbie Zickert
Other •
Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers to all of the Family.
JH
Joseph H Hinkes
Other •
Dear Sandy and Family, We are so sorry for loss of your husband, Dick and the children's father. I remember when Dick and I worked to develop the Dean Care HMO plan for farmers. I also had a chance to work with Todd and Steve. We also remember the wonderful Christmas parties and the gifts. we are reminded of the GIS family each year as we hang the ornaments on the tree. the birds from Expressions in Porcelain,Inc are on a shelf in our living room as a reminder of you and Dick. Thanks for the memories Sandy. Sincerely Joe and Rosemary Hinkes. an family
SW
scott wolfe
Other •
My deepest condolences to the Grams family. I enjoyed our talks and his teachings on his Lake Michigan properties, Captain's Cove. A great man, that I will always remember. God Bless! Scott Wolfe