John Kirk

1934 - 2025

John Kirk

October 23, 1934 - December 29, 2025

John H. Kirk, 91, of Barron, passed away on December 29, 2025, surrounded by his wife and daughters.

He was born October 23, 1934, to Henry and Hilma (Gunderson) Kirk in Spring Valley. He was baptized and confirmed at Gilman Lutheran Church, Spring Valley. John graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1953. It was there that he met his true love, Barbara Brandt. It was, also, in school where he developed his love of music and trumpet playing.

After high school he attended UW-River Falls for a semester then enlisted in the US Army. While home on leave, John and Barbara were married December 22, 1954 at Wilson Lutheran Church, Wilson. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary shortly before John passed.

John was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina where he served 2 years and was recruited for and played in the Army band. During this time, John and Barbara welcomed their first child, Prudence. After his honorable discharge, in 1956, they came back to Wisconsin where John re-enrolled at UW-River Falls, receiving his bachelor's degree in music. During his last year of college, their second daughter, Pamela, was born.

In 1959, John spent his first year of teaching with the Baldwin School system. In 1960, the family moved to Barron, where he was hired as the Elementary School Instrumental Music Teacher. He spent 23 years in that position with his office at Woodland Elementary and then at Riverview Middle School. John attended two years of summer school at UW- Superior where he received his master's degree in music. He retired from teaching in 1983 to enter the private sector. He went full time with his clock repair business along with buying, selling and restoring antiques.

Through the years John was always involved in music in the community and his church. John teamed up with Chuck Kirkwood to play echo taps for many area veteran's funerals and Veteran Day Observances and played with Chuck Kirkwood and Friends, who traveled to area nursing homes to bring the joy of music to so many.

Many will remember his great sense of humor and the countless jokes he loved to tell. Most importantly he was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Brandt); his daughters, Prudence Shay and Pamela Jacoby of Barron; Granddaughter, Stephanie (Jason) Hotujec; Grandson, Kyle (Caitlin) Lee; Great Grandchildren, Charlotte Hotujec, Saylor and Summit Lee; sisters and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Ralph and Lucille (Brummer) Brandt; brother-in-law, Roger Brandt; son-in-law, Tom Torgrimson; his "brothers" Glenn Sandve and Bob Eckert and numerous other family members and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, January 19, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, Barron with visitation starting at 11:00 a.m.; service at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Ron Mathews officiating. Burial will be at Gilman Lutheran Cemetery, Spring Valley.

Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church or Barron Riverview Middle School Elementary Instrumental Music Department, Barron.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home of Barron. Online condolences may be made at rauschandsteelfuneralhome.com