Earl Kirchhoff, son of Herman and Anna Pries Kirchhoff, was born June 25, 1922, in Bremer County, Iowa. He was baptized in 1922 at St. Peter’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Tripoli by Rev. Karl Koehler and was confirmed on April 5, 1936, by Rev. Theo Thomas at the same church. He attended country school near Tripoli, and graduated from Tripoli High School.
On December 25, 1943, he was united in marriage with Alvira Knief at St. John Lutheran Church, Spring Fountain. Earl and his wife farmed in Bremer and Chickasaw Counties all his life.
A resident of Ridgeview Care Center in Cedar Rapids for the past year, his death occurred there on Sunday, May 10, 2009, following a lengthy illness. He was 86 years old and a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. He was also a member of Farm Bureau, served as president of the country school board, and helped build the co-op in Fredericksburg. He enjoyed spending time with his family and always loved to fish.
He is survived by three sons, Rodger (Margel) Kirchhoff of New Germany, Minnesota, Larry (Nancy) Kirchhoff of Cedar Rapids, and Milan (Mary) Kirchhoff of Waverly; one daughter, Connie (David) Gaffney of Waukee; eight grandchildren, Greg (Melissa) Kirchhoff, Brian Kirchhoff and fiancé, Lora, Dawn Kirchhoff, Denise Kirchhoff, Brenda (Kirk) Kirchhoff Damman, Jason (Natalie) Kirchhoff, Jennifer Gaffney and Patrick Gaffney; three great grandchildren, Autumn Kirchhoff, David Kirchhoff, Jr., and Nathan Kirchhoff; and one brother, Jene (Florine) Kirchhoff of Tripoli.
He was preceded in death by his wife who died on April 25, 2007; two grandsons, Chad and David Kirchhoff; his parents; two sisters, Ruth Korte and Florence Block; one half sister, Oretta Fenelon; and one half brother, Lavern Kirchhoff.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 14, 2009, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. William Runaas, Jr. officiating. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery in Sumner. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Thursday.
