Obituary of James Esch

James R. Esch, 76, of Dyersville, Iowa died Tuesday, July 10, 2012 as a result of an accident in Marshalltown, Iowa. Friends may call from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2012, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a vigil service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2012, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica with inurnment in the church cemetery. Rev. Noah Diehm will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 137. Jim was born April 22, 1936 in Dyersville, Iowa, the son of Arthur and Elizabeth "Elsie" (Beckmann) Esch. He graduated with the class of 1954 St. Francis Xavier High School. He married Joan Steffen on October 1, 1960, in Luxemburg, Iowa. He worked at Collins Radio for a short time until he and Joan began farming north of Dyersville. They moved to Dyersville in 2006 when Jim started driving trucks, most recently for Rally Transport. He also worked at the Diamond Jo Casino for 6 years. Jim enjoyed when his family would come home or gather for any reason and he loved to tease his grandchildren. He was particularly captivated by his only great grandchild, Stella. Survivors include his wife, Joan, 6 children: Alan (Kell) Esch of Epworth, Jay (Lynn) Esch of River Falls, WI, Carla (Scott) Larsen of Johnston, IA, Jenny (Ray) Kirsch of Dyersville, Shelly (Scott) Schoer of Waterloo, IA, Jill (Jeff) Schmitt of Dubuque, IA; 10 grandchildren: Nicholas (Lucy) and Christoph Esch, Ellen and Jayne Esch, Ryan and Kelsi Larsen, Justin (fiance Laura White) and Jordan Kirsch, Melissa and Mitchel Schoer; 1 great grandchild, Stella Esch; sisters, Betty Steffen of Farley and Dorothy Wagner of Minneapolis, MN; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Esch-Pfeiler of Dyersville, Virgie (Irvin) Singsank of Luxemburg, IA, Ann Steffen of Dyersville, Esther Steffen of Edgewood. He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, Joe and Anna Steffen; 2 brothers, Arthur B. Esch and George (Ramona) Esch, a sister, Helen (Ed) Ramler; brothers and sisters-in-law: Vince Steffen, Bill Wagner, Ralph Steffen, Arthur Steffen, Leo (Monica) Steffen, Raymond (Fran) Steffen, Richard (Nellie) Steffen, Marie (Emmett) Winter, Larry Goebel, Germaine (Norb) Wilwert, and Emmett Pfeiler.