Hershberger, Jim "Coach Hersh" (1934-2002)

HERSHBERGER, MARNER, BAUMGARTNER, OLSON

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/31/2010 at 18:28:22

Jim Hershberger - May 13, 1934 - Jan. 25, 2002

Tuesday, January 29, 2002

Jim Hershberger "Coach Hersh," age 67, of Okoboji, well-known Iowa high school and college football coach, passed away Friday, January 25, 2002, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines following a lengthy battle with cancer and heart disease.

James Monroe Hershberger was born May 13, 1934, the son of Edward and Edna (Marner) Hershberger in Kalona, Iowa. Jim graduated from Kalona High School before attending Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls (now UNI). He then moved on to earn his Master's Degree as a Graduate Assistant from Northeast Missouri State.

He served in the United States Army for 6 years before being honorably discharged in 1962.

On June 16, 1957 Jim married Floy Baumgartner in Clear Lake, Iowa. During their 44 plus years of marriage they were blessed with 3 sons.

Jim started his career as a high school football coach at Janesville High School before moving on to Algona High. He then entered the college ranks as an assistant coach at Illinois State University in Normal for 3 years before becoming the Head Football Coach for Buena Vista College. He coached the Beavers from 1970-1989 and was the athletic director until his retirement in 1994. Even after his retirement, Jim stayed active in coaching when he was selected to help coach Division III's elite in the Aztec Bowl for the past 4 years.

He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. He also was a long-time member of the American Football Coaches Association and was recently inducted into the Buena Vista University Hall of Fame.

Jim is survived by his wife Floy, Okoboji; sons: Mace and his friend, Terri Johanson, Okoboji, Steve and his wife Stacia, Ozark, Mo., and Mike and his friend Jenny Hughes, Coralville; two grandchildren: Alec and Ethan, Ozark, Mo.; sisters-in-law: Ginny Hershberger and Joan Olson, along with many other family and friends.

Preceding Jim in death were his parents; two brothers: Kenneth and Everett and a nephew.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Schaller Chapel on the Campus of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. The Rev. Dr. Kevin McDonald and Dr. Fred Brown will be officiating. There will be a private family graveside service in Okoboji.

The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake will hold a visitation for friends on Tuesday from 2 until 8 p.m. with the family present from 5-8 p.m.

A memorial fund for the Buena Vista Football Program has been established.

© Copyright 2002, Storm Lake Pilot Tribune

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