Catherine Louise Grimm (1929 – 2001)

Catherine Louise Grimm Boytim was born on February 3, 1929, in Indian Head, Pennsylvania, and was raised in a coal mining family with seven siblings. She married Michael Boytim in 1956. They had a son, Michael Andrew, who sadly passed away shortly after birth in 1957, and a daughter who survived her. After eloping in 1956, they had a church wedding in 1962 and moved to various locations, including New Jersey and Central Pennsylvania. Louise was actively involved in her community and family life. She passed away on May 10, 2001, in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and is buried with her husband at Rolling Green Memorial Park.

Indian Head, Pennsylvania

The Great Depression (1929-1939)

Born at the onset of the Great Depression, Louise experienced the economic hardships that affected many American families, especially in coal mining communities.

1930 United States Census

In 1930, at 1 year old, Louise lived with her parents, Harris, 38, and Elizabeth Grimm, 36, and the following siblings: Blair (male), 12, Imogene, 10, Robert, 8, Marie, 6, and June, 4. She also lived with her grandmother, Margaret Kalp, 73, who was a widow. They rented a house in Indian Head, Saltlick Township, Pennsylvania. for $12 a month. Harris was a coal miner and Blair, Imogene, and Robert attended school. Everybody in the household aged 10 and older could read, write, and speak English and they were native to Pennsylvania. They owned a radio. Name listed: Louise Grimm¹

World War II (1939-1945)

As a teenager during WWII, Louise witnessed the global conflict and its impact on the home front, including rationing and the role of women in the workforce.

1940 United States Census

In 1940, Louise, 11, lived with her parents, Harry (47) and Lizzie Kalp (46) Grimm, and siblings Emmagene, 20, Robert, 18, Marie, 16, June, 14 (and mistakenly listed as a son of Harry Grimm), Harry, Jr., 7; and Ethel L., 2. They rented a home for $8 a month in Indian Head, Saltlick Township, Pennsylvania, where they had lived for at least 5 years. Harry was a coal loader at a coal mine, working 28 hours per week for 30 weeks a year and he had additional sources of income. Emmagene did housework in a private home and Robert was a plumber helper at a plumbing shop. Marie, June, Louise, and Harry Jr. attended school (Louise had completed 3rd grade). Name listed: Louies Grimm²

8th Grade Graduation

On May 10, 1944, Louise graduated 8th grade in Saltlick Township. She attended commencement at the Indian Head Church of God. Name listed: Kathryn Louise Grimm³

Post-War Era (1945-1960s)

The post-war period brought economic growth and social change in the United States. Louise’s marriage in the 1950s occurred during this time of optimism and suburban expansion.

1956 Justice of the Peace Marriage of Catherine Louise Grimm and Michael Boytim

Louise and Michael Boytim eloped in Everson, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on December 15, 1956.⁴

1957 Birth and Death of Son

Louise gave birth to a son, Michael Andrew Boytim, on November 30, 1957.⁵ However, he was born with a birth defect affecting his brain and skull and did not survive.⁶ He was buried at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Trauger, Pennsylvania. The Russian Orthodox crosses adorning his headstone represented Louise’s husband’s Slavic roots.⁷ Louise was discharged from the hospital on December 5, 1957, and she lived at 400 Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania.⁸

402 West Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania

400 Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania no longer exists. However, the above image at 402 West Main Street is possibly her former residence.⁹ This building consists of 4 units, but it is unknown when it was built.

Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s)

During the 1960s, significant strides were made toward racial equality and civil rights in America, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

1962 Church Wedding of Catherine Louise Grimm and Michael Boytim

Following Michael’s religious tradition as a Catholic, he and Louise were married a second time at St. Nicholas Parish in Greensburg, PA, on February 17, 1962, more than five years after their first wedding.¹⁰

1966 Parents 50th Wedding Anniversary

Louise’s parents, Harry and Lizzie Grimm, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 28, 1966. Among the guests were their children, including Mrs. Michael (Louise) Boytim, who was living in Dover, New Jersey, at the time.¹¹

Dover, New Jersey

Technological Advancements

Louise saw the advent of personal computers, the internet, and various technological innovations that transformed daily life.

Death of Catherine Louise Grimm Boytim

Louise passed away on May 10, 2001, at age 72, at her home, 436 Meadow Drive, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. She was survived by her husband, Michael Boytim, one daughter, two grandchildren, four sisters, and a brother.¹²

436 Meadow Drive, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Louise’s final home was at 436 Meadow Drive, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. She and her husband are buried together at Rolling Green Memorial Park, Lower Allen, Pennsylvania.

Patriot-News, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Obituary

An obituary for Louise appeared in the Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on May 12, 2001.¹³

Transcript:
Catherine Louise Boytim, 72, of 436 Meadow Drive, Camp Hill, died Thursday at home.
She was a member of St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, New Cumberland.
Surviving are her husband, Michael Boytim; a daughter, Michele M. Snell of New Cumberland; four sisters, Emma Jean Grimm of Indian Head, Marie Barger of Normalville, June Horberger of Shamokin and Lorraine Coffman of Donegal; a brother, Harry Grimm Jr. of Dearborn, Mich.; and two grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday in her church. Burial will be in Rolling Green Memorial Park, Lower Allen Twp.
There will be no viewing.
Stone & Murray Funeral Home, New Cumberland, is handling arrangements.

Catherine Louise Grimm Boytim lived through significant historical events that shaped the 20th century. Her life spanned a period of tremendous change and development in the United States and the world.

Sources

1. 1930 U.S. census, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Salt Lick Township, enumeration district (ED) 26-83, p. 19B, dwelling 383, family 399, Louise Grimm; image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 February 2021); citing NARA microfilm publication T626, microfilm 1101.0. ↩︎
2. 1940 U.S. Census, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Saltlick Township, enumeration district (ED) 26-95, p. 4B, household 66, Louies Grimm; image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 February 2021); citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 3507. ↩︎
3. “Saltlick Graduation Tomorrow,” The Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA, 9 May 1944, Page 2. col. 2, image, newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier/148080070/ : accessed 25 May 2024), clip page by user genistory. ↩︎
4. Grimm-Boytim Marriage License and Certificate of Marriage, 15 December 1956; privately held by her daughter. Issued 15 December 1956 by the Justice of the Peace, Everson, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, local file no. 134046. ↩︎
5. Find a Grave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/145363056/michael-boytim: accessed  3 February 2021), memorial page for Michael Boytim (30 Nov 1957–30 Nov 1957), Find a Grave Memorial ID 145363056, citing Saint Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Mount Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Franny (contributor 47195713). ↩︎
6. Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Vital Statistics, (Mt. Pleasant Westmoreland County, PA, local registrar’s copy) death certificate no. 362146, Michael Andrew Boytim (d. 30 November 1956); issued to mother Catherine Louise Grimm Boytim, then passed on to her daughter. ↩︎
7. “The Russian Orthodox Cross,” Bridge to Moscow (https://bridgetomoscow.com/curious-fact-the-russian-orthodox-cross : accessed 3 February 2021). ↩︎
8. “Hospital News,” The Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA, 5 December 1957, Page 16. col. 6, image, newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier/15109080/ : accessed 14 November 2017), clip page by user genistory. ↩︎
9. “402 W Main St, Mount Pleasant, PA 15666,” realtor.com (https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/402-W-Main-St_Mount-Pleasant_PA_15666_M99777-29095 : accessed 3 February 2021). ↩︎
10. Grimm-Boytim Certificate of Marriage, 17 February 1962; privately held by her daughter. Issued 17 February 1962 by the St. Nicholas Parrish, Greensburg Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, no file no. ↩︎
11. “Indian Head Couple Wed Fifty Years” The Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA, 19 August 1966, p. 5. cols. 3-4, image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier/15069437/ : accessed 12 November 2017), clip page by user genistory. ↩︎
12. Find a Grave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/157807070/catherine_louise-boytim: accessed 3 February 2021), memorial page for Catherine Louise Grimm Boytim (3 Feb 1929–10 May 2001), Find a Grave Memorial ID 157807070, citing Rolling Green Memorial Park, Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Patrick (contributor 48975768). ↩︎
13. “Obituaries: Catherine L. Boytim,” Patriot-News, Harrisburg, PA, 12 May 2001, p. 2B, database, NewsBank (https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1095A8734553BB87&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F10D98E8D84F9B8E1 : accessed 13 July 2024). ↩︎