James Murch

James W. Murch

June 8, 1928 - July 15, 2023

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the journey that was Jim's life has come to an end. In his words, it was a life well-lived and without regrets. Jim was born and raised in the Weyerhaeuser area to Bert and Hazel Murch. He had three older siblings: Lucille, Roberta and Carol. He "attended" Chetek High School, Weyerhaeuser High School and the University of Minnesota Farm School. He only held a diploma from the school of "hard knocks" but of that, he was a straight A student.

Jim married Roselee Flohr in 1946. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Gretchen Leverson (Bob), Gregrey (Linda), Kim (Helen), Karl (Linda) and Valerie Mattioli (Rob). After Roselee’s death in 2004 he married Lois Wilsey-Wilson.

Jim was preceded in death by his wives Roselee and Lois, siblings and their spouses Lucille Jonjak (Tony), Roberta Wright (Melvin), and Carol Schroeder (Dick), brother-in-law Tom Quirk, granddaughter Abbie Rose Murch, and daughter-in-law Denise Bowers Murch.

Jim is survived by his five children and their spouses, sister-in-law Marlene Quirk, 16 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

It would be redundant to list all the places he lived or the different jobs he held, but as Roselee would say "marrying Jim was like joining the Navy, she got to see the world". At one time or another he called: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, Illinois, Iowa and Alabama home. As Jim said, "you need to grow where you're sown". He accomplished this throughout all his travels and left behind many friends and fond memories in each location.

There will be a memorial/celebration of life service at the Chetek United Methodist Church, 300 Stout Street, Chetek, WI on Thursday, July 27 ^th , 2023 at 2PM. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to your favorite charity in Jim’s name.

Perhaps it is best to remember Jim through one of the many poems he wrote. This poem tells a lot about his philosophy and his positive view of life.

Lake of the Woods

August 2000

James W. Murch

When your days are almost over

and your livin almost done.

It isn't how many battles you fought

it's only the ones you won.

When all that's left is memories

of both the bad times and the good,

It's nice to think you did your best

and accomplished what you could.

Now I have traveled many miles

and the memories that I have could

fill a million files,

But of all my treasured memories

of the days since long gone by,

I can't remember a better time

no matter how I try,

then just a sitting in my boat

a looking at the sky.

Or eating on a rocky shore

a meal of potatoes, beans and fish.

Now life can't get much better

no matter what you wish.