In the heart of Wausau, Wisconsin, a beloved community member, Patty Grimm, a 52-year-old Caucasian female, was tragically killed on October 3, 2019. Her sudden death sent ripples of shock and grief through the town, leaving a void in the lives of those who knew and cherished her. Grimm was the manager of Pine Grove Cemetery, a place she treated with reverence and where she was known for her kindness and passion for local history.
The events of that fateful Thursday unfolded at the
cemetery where Grimm worked. A former employee, Henry V. West, 64, is alleged to have opened fire, fatally wounding Grimm and injuring two other individuals. One of the other victims was identified as William Buhse, 60, a cemetery employee who sustained critical injuries. West was a former groundskeeper who had been terminated from his position at the cemetery years prior.
Following the shooting, West was taken into custody and subsequently faced charges including first-degree intentional homicide for the death of Patty Grimm and two counts of attempted homicide. The Wausau community mourned the loss of a woman described as a "ray of light" and a "champion for her family, her community, and her place of employment." Friends and colleagues remembered her as a wonderful mother, a devoted wife, and a kind soul who had a deep love for life and people.
Patty Grimm was born on June 4, 1967, in Norfolk, Virginia, and later settled in Wausau, her hometown. She was a graduate of Newman Catholic High School and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Her work at Pine Grove Cemetery was more than a job; she was known for her tireless efforts to assist grieving families and her dedication to preserving the stories of those laid to rest there. Her legacy is one of compassion, community spirit, and a profound appreciation for the history of her town.
