When Matthew T. Grimm joined his cousin’s racing team in the summer of 2004, it was his first experience working with the high-performance stock cars that were the backbone of the American Speed Association.

“He always wanted to be there to help people _ that was always his goal,” Bryan Reffner, a cousin and driver. “And he wanted to do something but would push himself to see if he could do it better.”

Grimm, 21, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., was killed Jan. 15 by a roadside bomb in Mosul. A 2004 high school graduate, he was assigned to Fort Bliss.
He played football, wrestled and dabbled in weightlifting in school. Shane Benitz, an assistant wrestling coach, described him as a “powerhouse” wrestler with a muscular frame.

“He was just a great kid, a good athlete, hardworking, everything you want in a member of a high school sports team,” Benitz said.

Immediately after high school, Grimm began working for Reffner Motorsports, unloading cars from the previous race and getting them ready for the next.
“He was always ready to take on a new challenge,” said Reffner.
He is survived by his parents, Eldon and Jean.

21, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas; died Jan. 15 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations.

Nearly 400 gather for funeral of fallen soldier

The Associated Press

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. — Nearly 400 people attended a service Jan. 27 to say goodbye to a 21-year-old soldier who died in Iraq.

Cpl. Matthew T. Grimm died Jan. 15 while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq.

Two photographs of Grimm, including his senior picture, were on the stage at the Performing Arts Center in Wisconsin Rapids, surrounded by six bouquets of flowers. A picture board was in a corner.

“This has happened way too soon,” said Thomas Mancuso, principal of Lincoln High School, where Grimm graduated in 2004.

He described Grimm as a great role model, “for all of us, including adults.”

Grimm’s parents, Jean and Eldon, and Grimm’s brother, Andrew, who was flown home from Iraq, sat directly in front of the flag-draped casket during the service.

“They’re taking it very hard,” said family friend Penny Estok, 46.

Grimm’s friend, Andy Rohmeyer, spoke during the service.

“Matt and I met in grade school, and have been friends ever since,” Rohmeyer said. “I could confide in Matt; he would listen to my problems without passing judgment.

Gov. Jim Doyle, Rep. Marlin Schneider, Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Mary Jo Carson, and other officials attend the service

“I just know that our community is very proud, and saddened at the same time,” Carson said.

[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Help Us Honor Their Memory” style=”fancy” icon=”caret”]