Jim Quirk, age 86 of Lake View, IA, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. James Merle Quirk was born on March 21, 1938, to parents Merle and Ellen (Buehler) Quirk, of Wall Lake, IA. He attended country school through the third grade and then attended school in Wall Lake. He graduated from Wall Lake High School with the class of 1956. Jim was baptized and confirmed in the Odebolt United Methodist Church where he was a lifelong member.
In 1958, Jim enlisted into the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Lackland AFB in Texas before being sent to England where he would spend the next three years. He was honorably discharged in 1961 and moved back home to continue farming with his family.
On November 26, 1966, Jim married the “Sparkle” of his life, Victoria Brown, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. This union was blessed with five children, Bryan, Dean, Todd, Tyson, and Jayme. They raised their family on a farm between Wall Lake and Odebolt and remained living there until 2012, at which time they moved to their lake home in Lake View.
Jim was a 3rd generation farmer and enjoyed raising crops and cattle. He had his kids learning alongside him as they grew. He was an extremely hard worker who took a lot of pride in growing the family farming operation to what it is today. He loved being able to do that alongside his family. He loved to continue to go to the farm on a daily basis to check things out, and lend a helping hand in the operation.
Jim was someone who liked to make others laugh and was a prankster of sorts. He was also known to give anyone he came in contact with a nickname. He liked to have fun and over the years, instigated many things that have left those who knew him with great memories and stories they’ll be able to tell for years to come. Jim was a very honest, genuine man. He treated those that knew him as one of his own. He took great pride in his friendships.
When he wasn’t farming, Jim could be found golfing, boating, playing cards, going to the casino, or riding his tractor on several tractor rides. He also enjoyed trips to Iowa City with his family to watch the Hawkeyes play. For the past seventeen years, Jim and Vickie have enjoyed wintering in Texas. They always loved to travel and they took their children on several trips over the years.
Jim was extremely proud of all five of his children and adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Spending time with all of them always brought a smile to his face. He will be dearly missed by them and all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Vickie Quirk; children: BJ (Lisa) Quirk, Dean (Holly) Quirk, Todd (Beth) Quirk, Tyson (Angie) Quirk, and Jayme Quirk; grandchildren DeShay (Troy) Ransburg, Kaleb and Maty Quirk, Hillary Ullrich, Haylee, Drew, and KJ Quirk, Garrett, Chandler, and Kendall Quirk, Karson and Roscoe Quirk; great-grandchildren Callan and Hadley Ransburg; sister Joan Pagel; sister-in-law Sherris Brown, other extended family members and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Lindsey Quirk; parents Merle and Ellen Quirk; brother Donald Quirk; and parents-in-law George and Mabel Brown.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the United Methodist Church in Odebolt, IA, with Pastor Ken Miller officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, January 17, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the church. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Lake View has been entrusted to care for Jim and his family.
