James W. "Jimmer" Grebe died January 20, 2016. Jimmer passed away peacefully as a result of being stubborn, refusing to follow doctor's orders, and raising hell for more than 30 years. He enjoyed every minute and until his last, he kept all entertained. James W. Grebe was the proud President and Owner of Grebe's Bakeries, Inc. Preceded by his father, Walter J. Grebe, Jim carried on his father's legacy by continuing to be the "yeast in good dough", naturally helping the family business grow.
Following in his father's footsteps, and eventually paving his own way, Jim expanded Grebe's bakery to what it is today. He started in the family business cleaning bakery cabinets and toilets. At an age before most would even be thinking about working, his philosophy was, "Be the first to get up and the last to sit down." Over the years he had to prove himself and continued to expand his work ethic, gaining respect and working from "bakery whites" to white collar. He took the time to get to know his employees by name and built countless special relationships over the years, treating many of his employees more like family than personnel. Always personable, Jim went out of his way to acknowledge each and every person he met.
Unlike many business owners today, Jim was careful to make sure Grebe's Bakery remained family-owned. Grebe's is a fourth-generation, family-owned, Milwaukee-based business. Through the years the business has seen many changes, but it still remains and will continue to be a family-owned and operated business.
Irene Grebe, started the business out of her home to provide a source of income after her husband became ill in 1937. Continued growth resulted in the bakery plant being moved several times, finally reaching its present 40,000 sq. ft. location in West Allis.
In addition to the West Allis location, Jim expanded the business throughout the area as the largest independent bakery in Wisconsin. Grebe's Bakery services over 300 locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin, including Speedway, Sentry Foods, Woodman's Markets, Sendik's, Piggly Wiggly, and Open Pantry, as well as many independent grocery and convenience accounts as far as Green Bay, Madison, and northern Illinois. Jim made sure the business continued to be the bakery "Where the goodness is guaranteed," just as his Grandmother Irene had intended.
One of Jim's favorite achievements has been Grebe's involvement with MillerCoors at Wisconsin State Fair Park, operating the well-known Miller Lite Sports Bar and Grill. He also worked with the brewery in operating the Miller Oasis at Summerfest. Jimmer thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent with the 300 employees he called his "summer family".
Jim was a past president of both the local and Wisconsin Bakers Association, as well as a member of the National Retail Bakers of America.
Jim was long-active with the Masons and the Shriners. He enjoyed the time spent at dinners and events with his father as potentate, as well as his fellow masons, brother Robert and brother-in-law Bucky.
His greatest success in life was his kindness, generosity, and his passion for his three sons, always tapping his foot to the soundtrack of My Three Sons. His eyes shined with pride in the presence of his daughter-in-law and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, and relaxing with his dog. He loved to travel to his home in Florida and get away from Wisconsin winters whenever he had the chance. He absolutely loved his fishing trips in Canada and quality time spent with his children.
He will be missed by many and his grin will never be forgotten.
Jim's parents Walter and Elaine, and Grandparents Irene, Walter, Alice and Ole preceded him in death and greeted him with open arms.
Following in his father's footsteps, and eventually paving his own way, Jim expanded Grebe's bakery to what it is today. He started in the family business cleaning bakery cabinets and toilets. At an age before most would even be thinking about working, his philosophy was, "Be the first to get up and the last to sit down." Over the years he had to prove himself and continued to expand his work ethic, gaining respect and working from "bakery whites" to white collar. He took the time to get to know his employees by name and built countless special relationships over the years, treating many of his employees more like family than personnel. Always personable, Jim went out of his way to acknowledge each and every person he met.
Unlike many business owners today, Jim was careful to make sure Grebe's Bakery remained family-owned. Grebe's is a fourth-generation, family-owned, Milwaukee-based business. Through the years the business has seen many changes, but it still remains and will continue to be a family-owned and operated business.
Irene Grebe, started the business out of her home to provide a source of income after her husband became ill in 1937. Continued growth resulted in the bakery plant being moved several times, finally reaching its present 40,000 sq. ft. location in West Allis.
In addition to the West Allis location, Jim expanded the business throughout the area as the largest independent bakery in Wisconsin. Grebe's Bakery services over 300 locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin, including Speedway, Sentry Foods, Woodman's Markets, Sendik's, Piggly Wiggly, and Open Pantry, as well as many independent grocery and convenience accounts as far as Green Bay, Madison, and northern Illinois. Jim made sure the business continued to be the bakery "Where the goodness is guaranteed," just as his Grandmother Irene had intended.
One of Jim's favorite achievements has been Grebe's involvement with MillerCoors at Wisconsin State Fair Park, operating the well-known Miller Lite Sports Bar and Grill. He also worked with the brewery in operating the Miller Oasis at Summerfest. Jimmer thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent with the 300 employees he called his "summer family".
Jim was a past president of both the local and Wisconsin Bakers Association, as well as a member of the National Retail Bakers of America.
Jim was long-active with the Masons and the Shriners. He enjoyed the time spent at dinners and events with his father as potentate, as well as his fellow masons, brother Robert and brother-in-law Bucky.
His greatest success in life was his kindness, generosity, and his passion for his three sons, always tapping his foot to the soundtrack of My Three Sons. His eyes shined with pride in the presence of his daughter-in-law and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, and relaxing with his dog. He loved to travel to his home in Florida and get away from Wisconsin winters whenever he had the chance. He absolutely loved his fishing trips in Canada and quality time spent with his children.
He will be missed by many and his grin will never be forgotten.
Jim's parents Walter and Elaine, and Grandparents Irene, Walter, Alice and Ole preceded him in death and greeted him with open arms.
James W. "Jimmer" Grebe died January 20, 2016. Jimmer passed away peacefully as a result of being stubborn, refusing to follow doctor's orders, and raising hell for more than 30 years. He enjoyed every minute and until his last, he kept all entertained. James W. Grebe was the proud President and Owner of Grebe's Bakeries, Inc. Preceded by his father, Walter J. Grebe, Jim carried on his father's legacy by continuing to be the "yeast in good dough", naturally helping the family business grow.
Following in his father's footsteps, and eventually paving his own way, Jim expanded Grebe's bakery to what it is today. He started in the family business cleaning bakery cabinets and toilets. At an age before most would even be thinking about working, his philosophy was, "Be the first to get up and the last to sit down." Over the years he had to prove himself and continued to expand his work ethic, gaining respect and working from "bakery whites" to white collar. He took the time to get to know his employees by name and built countless special relationships over the years, treating many of his employees more like family than personnel. Always personable, Jim went out of his way to acknowledge each and every person he met.
Unlike many business owners today, Jim was careful to make sure Grebe's Bakery remained family-owned. Grebe's is a fourth-generation, family-owned, Milwaukee-based business. Through the years the business has seen many changes, but it still remains and will continue to be a family-owned and operated business.
Irene Grebe, started the business out of her home to provide a source of income after her husband became ill in 1937. Continued growth resulted in the bakery plant being moved several times, finally reaching its present 40,000 sq. ft. location in West Allis.
In addition to the West Allis location, Jim expanded the business throughout the area as the largest independent bakery in Wisconsin. Grebe's Bakery services over 300 locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin, including Speedway, Sentry Foods, Woodman's Markets, Sendik's, Piggly Wiggly, and Open Pantry, as well as many independent grocery and convenience accounts as far as Green Bay, Madison, and northern Illinois. Jim made sure the business continued to be the bakery "Where the goodness is guaranteed," just as his Grandmother Irene had intended.
One of Jim's favorite achievements has been Grebe's involvement with MillerCoors at Wisconsin State Fair Park, operating the well-known Miller Lite Sports Bar and Grill. He also worked with the brewery in operating the Miller Oasis at Summerfest. Jimmer thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent with the 300 employees he called his "summer family".
Jim was a past president of both the local and Wisconsin Bakers Association, as well as a member of the National Retail Bakers of America.
Jim was long-active with the Masons and the Shriners. He enjoyed the time spent at dinners and events with his father as potentate, as well as his fellow masons, brother Robert and brother-in-law Bucky.
His greatest success in life was his kindness, generosity, and his passion for his three sons, always tapping his foot to the soundtrack of My Three Sons. His eyes shined with pride in the presence of his daughter-in-law and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, and relaxing with his dog. He loved to travel to his home in Florida and get away from Wisconsin winters whenever he had the chance. He absolutely loved his fishing trips in Canada and quality time spent with his children.
He will be missed by many and his grin will never be forgotten.
Jim's parents Walter and Elaine, and Grandparents Irene, Walter, Alice and Ole preceded him in death and greeted him with open arms.
Following in his father's footsteps, and eventually paving his own way, Jim expanded Grebe's bakery to what it is today. He started in the family business cleaning bakery cabinets and toilets. At an age before most would even be thinking about working, his philosophy was, "Be the first to get up and the last to sit down." Over the years he had to prove himself and continued to expand his work ethic, gaining respect and working from "bakery whites" to white collar. He took the time to get to know his employees by name and built countless special relationships over the years, treating many of his employees more like family than personnel. Always personable, Jim went out of his way to acknowledge each and every person he met.
Unlike many business owners today, Jim was careful to make sure Grebe's Bakery remained family-owned. Grebe's is a fourth-generation, family-owned, Milwaukee-based business. Through the years the business has seen many changes, but it still remains and will continue to be a family-owned and operated business.
Irene Grebe, started the business out of her home to provide a source of income after her husband became ill in 1937. Continued growth resulted in the bakery plant being moved several times, finally reaching its present 40,000 sq. ft. location in West Allis.
In addition to the West Allis location, Jim expanded the business throughout the area as the largest independent bakery in Wisconsin. Grebe's Bakery services over 300 locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin, including Speedway, Sentry Foods, Woodman's Markets, Sendik's, Piggly Wiggly, and Open Pantry, as well as many independent grocery and convenience accounts as far as Green Bay, Madison, and northern Illinois. Jim made sure the business continued to be the bakery "Where the goodness is guaranteed," just as his Grandmother Irene had intended.
One of Jim's favorite achievements has been Grebe's involvement with MillerCoors at Wisconsin State Fair Park, operating the well-known Miller Lite Sports Bar and Grill. He also worked with the brewery in operating the Miller Oasis at Summerfest. Jimmer thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent with the 300 employees he called his "summer family".
Jim was a past president of both the local and Wisconsin Bakers Association, as well as a member of the National Retail Bakers of America.
Jim was long-active with the Masons and the Shriners. He enjoyed the time spent at dinners and events with his father as potentate, as well as his fellow masons, brother Robert and brother-in-law Bucky.
His greatest success in life was his kindness, generosity, and his passion for his three sons, always tapping his foot to the soundtrack of My Three Sons. His eyes shined with pride in the presence of his daughter-in-law and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, and relaxing with his dog. He loved to travel to his home in Florida and get away from Wisconsin winters whenever he had the chance. He absolutely loved his fishing trips in Canada and quality time spent with his children.
He will be missed by many and his grin will never be forgotten.
Jim's parents Walter and Elaine, and Grandparents Irene, Walter, Alice and Ole preceded him in death and greeted him with open arms.
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