BIRUM, James F. 1945-2006

BIRUM

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 6/7/2006 at 17:00:03

James Frederick Birum, 58, of Manly, died Tuesday (June 1, 2004) at University Hospital in Iowa City.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring St., Manly, with the Rev. Mark Luckiesh officiating. Burial will be in the Manly Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. today and one hour prior to service time on Friday at the chapel.

James Frederick Birum was born on Dec. 14, 1945, in Cherokee, Iowa, the son of Stephen George and Edna Louise (Ahntholz) Birum. He lived with his parents and sister on a farm near Albert City until he moved to Osage when he was 10 years old.

As a freshman in 1960 in Sioux City, Iowa, he played football for Sioux City East. He returned to Osage in 1962, where he wrestled and played football for the Osage Green Devils. Jim was elected homecoming king in the fall of 1963, and graduated from Osage High School in 1964.

Jim worked for Holden farms in Manly for more than 30 years.

His passions in life were gardening, fishing and a love of wind chimes, animals, nature and antiques. He was also an avid fan of B.B. King.

Grateful for having shared his life are his best friend and soulmate, Barbara Figgens, who cared for him unceasingly; her children, Jacob and Elissa; his sister, Susan Telkamp of Elkton, S.D.; his niece, Jacqueline (Duane) Amundson and children, Edwin, Samuel and Lucas of Ivanhoe, Minn. Survivors also include a half-sister, Barbara (A.C.) Soukup of Georgetown, Texas, and several cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

Source: Mason City Globe Gazette, June 3, 2006