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, WI. 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, WI. 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. He traveled to the outlying schools in Ridgeland, Almena and Hillsdale giving numerous band lessons.

John attended two years of summer school at UW- Superior where he received his master’s degree in music. During the summer months, he worked at various jobs including the canning factory in Cumberland, painting houses, but for more years selling / repairing instruments for Sandve Music and repairing clocks.

“Mr. Kirk” impacted so many of his student’s lives with the introduction of playing a musical instrument. He rarely forgot a student and could always tell you the instrument they played. 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.

John set up at many flea markets and rented an antique mall booth. He started a chapter of NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors) in Barron which met for several years. John was an avid hunter, fisherman and rockhound. He land managed 40 acres where he spent hours cutting wood with Barbara.

Through the years John was always involved in music. He played “dance jobs” starting at age 14. He went on to play in The Ernie Carrol Orchestra, The Elks Band/ Rice Lake, The Dean’s List, The Rice Lake Communiversity Band and The Northwinds British Brass Band. He often contributed his talent to pit orchestras for Barron High School musicals and judged Music Solo and Ensemble Contests.

John was a fixture at First Lutheran Church, Barron and will long be remembered for trumpeting in Easter Sunday worship which he did for decades. John was a long-time member of First Lutheran’s Jubilee Team.

John teamed up with Chuck Kirkwood to play echo taps for many area veteran’s funerals and Veteran Day Observances. He joined Chuck along with Edna McWithey and enlisted many of his fellow retired music teachers to fill out Chuck Kirkwood and Friends. This group traveled to countless nursing homes, churches and Veteran Day events 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; in-laws, Beverly Brooke; Linda Brandt; Douglas (Mary) Brandt; Klover (Dennis) Schafer; Rexford (Janet) Brandt; first cousins, Tom Gunderson; Bruce (Glenna) Gunderson; Earl (Karen) Gunderson; and many 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; first cousins, Gloria Weghorn and Betty Driscoll; 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, WI with visitation starting at 11:00 a.m.; service at 1:00 p.m. followed by lunch at the church. Pastor Ron Mathews will officiate. Burial will be held, later this year, at Gilman Lutheran Cemetery, Spring Valley, WI.

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

Last Update: Jan 07, 2026 9:04 am CST