James H. Munsch

James Munsch, age 86, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully at his home on September 29, 2022. A Funeral Service for James will be held on Wednesday October 5, 2022 at 11:00am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd. There will be a visitation held on Tuesday October 4, 2022 from 4:00pm – 6:00pm at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter, and one hour prior to the start of the service at the church on Wednesday.

Cowboy Jim was born in Wood Lake, MN on June 7, 1936 and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1954. James worked and retired from the City of Brainerd Street Department after 35 years of dedicated service.

James was a social butterfly, making new friends wherever he went. You always knew when he had arrived as you would hear ‘Oh, there’s “Cowboy Jim” ‘. His grandkids and great grandkids always called him grandpa cowboy. If you were in the restaurant industry, you also likely knew of James as being plenty good at being a jokester and giving the staff a hard time to keep them on their toes.

In James’ earlier years, he was heavily involved in 4H and gardening, this led into his love of fishing and hunting throughout his life. James was an avid MN Sports fan but was especially fond of football and baseball – trying not to miss a game on the TV. You may be surprised to know that James was a Little League umpire early on in his life.

James married Jan on October 27, 1990, and in his later years of life, he appreciated nothing more than spending time with Jan, either dining out or heading up to their ranch in Pillsbury Forest visiting their Tennessee Walker horses. He also found more joy than possible spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids.

James is survived by his wife Jan Munsch, his children Christine (Doug) Henderson of Longview, Washington, Paul (Jamie) Munsch, Phillip (Teresa) Munsch of Brainerd, MN, Brenda (Lester) Van Horn of Crosby, MN, and James (Joanne) Munsch of Brainerd, MN, Dawn (Greg) Buchite, Dallas (Gena) Buchite of Breezy Point, MN, and Lewis Denny of Brainerd, MN, his brother Harvey (Gloria) Munsch of Brainerd, MN, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren.

James is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Hazel Munsch, mother Mildred Rairdin, daughter Debbie Denny and grandson Chad Munsch.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.