Merrill Grams, age 92 of Cambridge died February 9, 2021. A public memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, March 19th at Strike Life Tributes in Cambridge with a private family service to follow. The private service at 7:30 PM will be live streamed, please use link below.
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Merrill E. Grams (Buddy) of Cambridge, MN passed away on Feb. 9, 2021 at the age of 92. Merrill was born on March 19, 1928, on the family farm near Zimmerman, MN (Now Grams Regional Park) to Henry & Minnie Grams along with his twin sister, Marian. Merrill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Howard, Ken, Don; and his sisters, Dorothy (Heath), Marjorie (Smith), Marian (Nemeth), Harriet (Kish) and Joyce (Olene). Merrill is survived by his loving wife, Helen Mae (Mack) of 71 years; sister, Helen (Benson); sisters-in-law, Lou Grams, JoAnn Grams; 5 sons, Darrell (Pat), Randy (Melodee), Scott (Tara), Jeff (Tami), Joel; and 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, plus 3 on the way. Merrill & Helen Mae were married in Princeton, MN in 1949. Merrill’s employment included Land O’ Lakes, Green Acres Nursing Home, and self-employed Painter. He carried out his passion by owning a hobby farm and caring for the animals. Merrill loved family, community, and church gatherings, attended grandchildren sporting events and school activities, and hobbies included being an avid racing fan at Princeton Speedway, auto shows, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, playing cards, and cribbage. Merrill had been an active member of the Lutheran Church all his life.
Going to the races with him when he used to bring me. Then I got to bring him to races 🏁 I won’t ever forget those drives we took together for all them years and the conversations we used to have in the car.
I remember spending Christmas Day at Grandpa and Grandma Grams when I was a kid. A few weeks before Christmas my siblings and I would spend a night there. They had cable and he’d let me watch the Weather Channel. I always laughed when he took out his dentures in front of us. I remember Grandpa helping to mow my mom’s yard with his lawn tractor until I was old enough to mow it all by myself with a push mower. I recall his love of cars and him taking my siblings and I to Princeton Speedway on Friday nights in the summer. If the Twins were playing, we would listen to them on the car radio. His faith and love of his family were the two things you could always count on. During the past several years, it was always enjoyable to talk about the weather, his memories, and family history in the annual visits we got to have with my wife and kids. He will be missed, but always remembered.
I just wanted to mention a couple of wonderful memories I have of Merrill.The memory I enjoy most is waving to him on his morning walk in Isanti as we were all headed out to deliver for the day for UPS.His wave and smile brightened my morning!And seeing him at the Waverly Iowa Draft Horse sale.
Joel, my sincere sympathy in the loss of your dear father.
Merrill always had a smile for anyone he saw. Found memories include him teaching me how to butcher chickens (something I will never forget!), a “colorful” song he taught his grandchildren on the piano, his daily walks around Isanti for many years and time spent in the Creamery Cafe having coffee with friends, his friendship with my parents, his love for family (he was so proud of the gang from Crown and all his siblings), his attempts to amuse Helen Mae, I could go on and on. Thoughts of him make me smile. My sympathy to his family and friends and caregivers at GracePointe Crossings.
Uncle Buddy was always a source of fun and happiness to all of us nephews and nieces. I will always remember him for the joy he brought our lives.