MOUNT HOREB - James Leo Kirch, age 91, of Mount Horeb, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. He was born on February 23, 1934, in Arena, Wis., the son of Robert and Kathryn (Lloyd) Kirch.

James graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1952. He married Karen Duffy on April 4, 1959. They were only married for seven months before Karen tragically passed away in a car accident. He married Ellen Ruppert on his birthday, February 23, 1963, and they were together for 62 wonderful years.

James suffered a tremendous amount of heart ache in his life; he also lost his beloved son, Scott, in 1986.

James served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956. He worked as a Master Plumber for the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 28 years.

He was a quiet man, very welcoming and always had a nice thing to say about everyone. He liked to hunt and fish, and he enjoyed a good round of golf with Ellen. Traveling was a huge part of his and Ellen's life. He was very good with his hands and was very creative. James was a very humble man, and he loved to spend time with his family.

James is survived by his wife, Ellen; daughters, Roberta (Douglas Whitmore) Kirch and Renee Kirch; granddaughters, Danielle Kirch-Whitmore and Rachel Kirch-Whitmore; step-granddaughter, Ashley (Bryan) Crosser; step-great-grandson, Will Crosser; step-great-granddaughter, Ellie Crosser; and sisters, Carol (Tom) Cleary and Joann Carden. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; parents, Kathryn and Robert; son, Scott Kirch; sisters, Rosemary (Warren) Wooten, Donna (Gene) Roche, Kathleen (Ellard) Kelly and Judy (Jim) Westphal; brothers, Bob (Bette) Kirch and David Kirch; and brother-in-law, Denny Carden.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 109 S. Sixth St., Mount Horeb, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Burial will be held at St. Ignatius Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077

James "Jim" Kirch

February 23, 1934 - December 16, 2025

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