Birch, James (“Jim”) (1947 - 2023)

BIRCH, TAFOYA, LEE, KROHN, REINEKE, GOLDEN, GOETZINGER

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 1/27/2023 at 16:07:29

Name of deceased: James “Jim” Birch

Aged: 75 yrs, 1 mo, 5 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: Nov. 29, 1947; Carroll, Carroll County, IA

Died: Jan. 3, 2023; Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Monday, Jan. 9, 2023; Pauley Jones Funeral Home, Harlan, IA

Survived by: Wife, Jennifer Birch of Harlan, IA; children, Zachary Birch (spouse, Karissa Tafoya) of Chandler, AZ, Theresa Birch of Ankeny, IA, and Paige Lee (spouse, Spencer Krohn) of Des Moines, IA; siblings, Mary Reineke of Panora, IA, Dan (spouse, Donna) Birch of Altoona, IA, and Melissa (spouse, Bob) Golden of Harlan, IA; grandchildren, Jacob and Chloe Birch; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Rita Mae Goetzinger and Carroll Harlan Birch; brother, John “Jack” Birch

Education: Attended St. Joseph’s and Kuemper Catholic High School, Carroll, IA

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Carroll, IA.

Military service: U. S. Navy, 1966 – 1970; served on the USS England during the Vietnam war. Honorably discharged.

Marriage: Jennifer Ann (maiden name not provided); May 6, 1995; Carroll, IA

Employment: After his military service, Jim was employed by Garst Seed Company, Coon Rapids, IA for more than 25 years. He then worked at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, IA, Concerned Inc., also in Harlan, and at Elm Crest Retirement Community, Harlan. Jim enjoyed working until the age of 74, up until March 2022 when his health began to decline.

Hobbies/Interests: Enjoyed fishing, reading, crossword puzzles, casinos, television, playing cards, and anything Holocaust- or history-related; was always joking and playing pranks;

Sources: harlanonline.com