Obituary of Jim Palmer
A Memorial Service for Ronald James "Jim" Palmer will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 10:00am at First Lutheran Church in Milford. To watch the live stream of the service, click the following link: https://youtu.be/YAEYNiO3haM. Inurnment will take place immediatly following the service at the Milford Cemetery. A Come and Go Luncheon will be held later that afternoon from 1:00-3:00pm at First Lutheran Church in Milford.
Ronald James “Jim” Palmer, age 73, of Milford, IA. passed away due to organ failure from septic shock on December 10th, 2022, in Colorado Springs, CO., with his family by his side. Jim was born August 30th, 1949, in Spirit Lake, IA., to Earl and Velma (Braasch) Palmer. He was welcomed home by his two older brothers; Bob (Robert) and Bill (William). Jim grew up in Milford, IA., where his parents owned the Palmer Variety Store. He fondly recalled spending days swimming at Terrace Park, playing slow-pitch softball, and attending dances and concerts at the Roof Garden in Arnold’s Park. He graduated High School in 1967, and attended Northwest Missouri State college, where he earned a Business degree. On October 15th, 1983, Jim and Joanne (Baumgard) were united in marriage at the Little Brown Church, in Nashua, IA.
Jim worked in manufacturing for 30 years with experience in quality control and all aspects of materials responsible for the procurement of raw materials, along with the contracting and leasing of material handling equipment. He most recently worked at Polaris Industries in Spirit Lake, IA from 1995 to 2004 as a Senior Purchasing Agent. He then worked at AGCO Corporation in Jackson, MN from 2004 to 2013 as a Senior Buyer Planner. He retired in 2013.
Jim and Joanne divided their time between the Lakes Area and Colorado Springs, CO. Jim enjoyed playing slow pitch softball, golfing, traveling, and spending time with his family & friends. He was a member at First Lutheran Church in Milford, IA and also enjoyed attending services at the Black Forest Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs. Pastor Ken Hohag (BFLC) often visited Jim during his hospitalization and brought comfort to the family.
Jim is survived by his wife Joanne, daughter Nicole (Dustin), son Justin (Brittney), brother Bob (Vernette), sister-in-law Joellen Palmer, brother and sister-in-law Jackie and Rich Molitor, brother and sister-in-law Ken and Lori Baumgard, brother and sister-in-law Allen and Michelle Benz, grandchildren Elise, Jase, and Rylee, and many nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his brother William “Bill”, parents, parents-in-law Ella and Leo Baumgard, and sister-in-law Kathy Benz.
