James “Jim” Douglas Burch, 78, of rural Elroy, Wis., passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Hillsboro, Wis., on March 8, 1947, to Russell and Audrey Burch. He spent most of his childhood on the family farm in Ontario. Jim attended a one-room country school through the fifth grade. Jim loved fishing and spent most of his time fishing on a small creek on the farm. He moved to Kendall and then attended Royall High School. That’s where he met the love of his life. Monica spotted Jim at a school concert. After Monica made many bike rides to Kendall to see Jim, they officially began dating at the age of 16.
Jim and Monica were married at Waukon, Iowa, on July 15, 1964. They were blessed with four children: Kristi, Kelley, Steffen, and Michael. In 1970, Jim and Monica established their lives on Monica’s home farm, where Jim farmed with his father-in-law and his sons. While farming, Jim was an agent for Wonewoc Mutual Insurance. He was on the town board and a member of the Lions Club.
After leaving farming, Jim worked part time in maintenance at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro. Then he became the buildings and grounds director at the Wonewoc School District and then the Royall School District. Jim was known for his hard work, dedication, willingness to help, and ability to fix anything, which sometimes required duct tape and WD-40.
Jim and Monica enjoyed traveling across the United States along with their son Steff. They also enjoyed spending time at their home in Texas. A favorite pastime for Jim and Monica was their love for dancing. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and great-grandchildren, hunting, fishing, and the annual “old-fashioned” Christmas with family and friends.
Jim will be remembered for his sense of humor, Facebook postings (censored by his wife), and his constant smile. He always opened his heart and saw the good in everyone.
Survivors include his wife, Monica (Steffen) Burch; his daughters, Kristi Burch-Zimmerman (Greg) and Kelley Burch-Tormoen (Craig); his son, Steffen Burch; his sisters, Cheryl (Wayne) Mattison and Suzie (Ron) Mislevecheck; his brother, Howard (Sadie) Burch; his sister-in-law, Judy (Frank) Juresh; many nieces and nephews; his grandchildren, Garrett Zimmerman (Carrie), Gavin Zimmerman (Kylie), Marlina Kutzke (Kyle), Jade Zimmerman, Grace Zimmerman, Jace Tormoen, Marquette (Dylan) Falk, Kaela Stark (Sunny), and Jimmy Ingold; his great-grandchildren, Graham, Finley, Oliver, Jackson, August, Bennett, Gwendolyn, Trace, Jason, Leon and Cherry; and his chosen family members, Tony Madden (Barb), Amber (Eric) Bradley, Don and Betty Jefferies, Ryan McCracken, Hannah Lustila and special friends, Marita and Bill Shaker, and the Breakfast Club friends, Terry Sosinsky, Mark and Janet, Mary Housner and Jim’s Boundary Water Buddies.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Michael Burch; his parents, Russell and Audrey Burch; his brother, Ron Burch; and his special aunt, Dorothy (Peg) Smith.
The family would like to thank Emplify of La Crosse and Hillsboro, especially his doctors and support team, Hospice, H.O.P.E., and Bill and Marita Shaker for all of your support during Jim’s short fight with cancer.
A time of visitation will be Monday, Aug. 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Picha Funeral Home in Elroy, followed by a memorial service at noon. A luncheon at the American Legion Hall in Elroy will follow the service. Interment will be at a later date at Millard’s Prairie Cemetery.
In place of flowers, memorials may be provided to the patient transportation van project at St Joseph’s Hospital, P.O. Box 527, Hillsboro, WI 54634 (https://bit.ly/4lH93nd) or H.O.P.E. Cancer Walk fund, P.O. Box 274, Hillsboro, WI 54634
The Picha Funeral Home is assisting. For online information, go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
“Lonely rivers flow, To the sea, to the sea, To the open arms of the sea, yeah, Lonely rivers sigh, Wait for me, wait for me, I’ll be coming home, wait for me.” The Righteous Brothers.
