Grant E. Stimson, age 83, of West Des Moines, formerly of Pocahontas passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, surrounded by the people he loved most.

Grant Edward Stimson was born on October 6, 1942, in Carroll, Iowa. He was the son of Gordon and Norma (Beck) Stimson. He grew up in Wall Lake, Iowa where he graduated from high school in 1960.  Grant went on to graduate college from Loras College in 1965 and later obtained his master's degree from The University of South Dakota in School Administration.

In 1967, Grant married Patricia (Coon) Carlson welcoming their son Christopher in 1971 and daughter Kelly in 1974.  Years passed and Grant married Annette (Almquist) Stimson in 1989.  With that union, Grant welcomed a stepdaughter Kristi, stepson Kevin and stepdaughter Kelley. He whole-heartedly embraced and cherished his blended family and was proud to dote about all of his "kids".

Professionally, Grant worked in education for many years showing his dedication, commitment and enthusiasm for the young learners he mentored.  His career started in teaching economics in Wall Lake, Walnut and later in Schleswig when he transitioned to become the High School Principal.  In 1977, Grant and family moved to Pocahontas where he became the High School Principal, a position he stayed with until retirement in 1999. Grant loved being a Pocahontas Indian more than anything and always called Poky "home".  After retirement, Grant and Annie moved to West Des Moines when he decided he couldn't stay out of the school environment and began a short stint at Stillwell Junior High. He did eventually hang up his education cap in 2005, when he really got down to the nitty gritty of retirement.

Grant had a true love for anything sports!  It didn't matter if it was The Iowa Hawkeyes or The Iowa State Cyclones, his children's or grandchildren's sporting events, he was there cheering them on. His passion for music was contagious as was his enthusiasm to celebrate as in his own words, "Let's have one!". His love for his family and God was above all else.

Grant is survived by his wife, Annie Stimson of West Des Moines; son Christopher (Michelle) Stimson of Nevada; daughter Kelly (Brad) Johnson of Storm Lake; brother Mark Stimson of Des Moines; grandchildren Bailey (Codi) Stimson and Hannah (Jordan) Sterner; step grandchildren Maggie Birkestrand and Zach (Skye) Birkestrand; great-grandchildren Harlow and Scottie Jo Sterner; and step great-grandchildren Jaxdyn Birkestrand, Brylee Birkestrand, Bowen Sterner and Paxton Sterner. Grant was also blessed with his blended family; stepchildren Kristi (Jim) Shimon, Kevin (Tanya) Carlson and Kelley Nedved; step grandchildren Hailey, Karter, Allena and Kellen Shimon, Zach and Zevin Carlson, and Jack, Allie and Henry Nedved; as well as his cherished nieces and nephews.

Grant was preceded in death by his parents Gordon and Norma Stimson, his youngest brother Eric Stimson, and sister-in-law Marlene Stimson.