Obituary: James (Jim) Grams

James (Jim) Steven Grams, 86 of Hudson, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home February 18, 2026.  Jim was born December 16, 1939 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the son of Phyllis Belle Stevenson and William August  Grams. 

Jim graduated from Central High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1957. He was an accomplished  violinist during his High School years playing in the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra his senior year. After  graduating from High School Jim worked as a draftsmen at Auto Lite Spark Plugs in La Crosse. In 1958 Jim was  hired by John Deere, Waterloo where he pursued his career as a design draftsmen. It was at John Deere where Jim  met the love of his life, Sharon Ann Shatzer. Jim and Sharon were married on June 16, 1962 in La Porte City, Iowa,  at the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Jim retired from John Deere in 1993 continuing to work part time on  contract until 2001. 

Throughout his years at John Deere and beyond retirement he played violin with the Waterloo Cedar Falls  Symphony retiring in July 2017 after 56 years with the Orchestra. He also played for many weddings throughout  the community including his own two children’s wedding and one grandchild. When Dubuque Symphony needed  extra violins Jim would contract to play with the symphony. 

Boating the Mississippi River and many surrounding lakes was a passion for Jim and Sharon. In the mid  90s, Jim and Sharon started wintering in Florida which became a large part of their life. 

Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years Sharon Ann Grams, Hudson; his sister Claudia (Twink) Grams  Pogreba, Madison, WI; his Son Jeffrey Steven Grams (Tammi), Hudson, IA; Tracy Ann Grams Eastman (Dave),  Kansas City, MO, ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. 

The family will be having a Celebration of Jim’s life at a later date when the entire family can attend.  Anyone wishing to make a donation in Jim’s memory, we are asking that you direct that memorial to the Waterloo  Cedar Falls Symphony, P.O Box 247, Cedar Falls 50613 or online at https://www.wcfsymphony.org/support-us/ donate/