Obituary of James Raymond Esch

DYERSVILLE, IOWA James R. Esch, 76, of Dyersville, Iowa died Tuesday, July 10, 2012 as a result of an accident in Marshalltown, Iowa. Friends called from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2012, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a vigil service was held at 5:00 p.m. Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2012, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica with Rev. Noah Diehm officianting. Concelebrating were Rev. Tom McDermott and Rev. Robert Jones, S.V.D. Placing the pall were Jim's six children: Alan & Jay Esch, Carla Larsen, Jenny Kirsch, Shelly Schoer and Jill Schmitt. Lector was Terry Esch and giftbearers were Melissa & Mitchel Schoer. Eucharistic minister was Don Riesberg. The committal service took place at the St. Francis Cemetery Chapel where the officiant was Rev. Noah Diehm. Military honors were accorded by American Legion Post 137 represented by Ron Kruse, Paul Rahe, Jerry Westhoff, Alvin Hermsen, Dave Geistkemper, Bill Kluesner, Roger Osterhaus, Merlin Demmer, Dave Brunkan, Dale Bartels, Don Overman, Ron Burkle, Bob Mensen, Tony Wagner, Ed Loeffelholz and Joe Brunkan. Pallbearers were Nicholas, Christoph and Jayne Esch, Ryan & Kelsi Larsen, Justin and Jordan Kirsch, Melissa and Mitchel Schoer. Inurnment took place Monday, July 16, 2012, at St. Francis Cemetery where Rev. Dennis Quint presided. 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; 2 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. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.