Buchs still living dream in Clarinda
- Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:39:59 CDT
(Clarinda)---When they say "it's all about team", that phrase definitely holds true for Irwin and Lois Buch of Clarinda. They've been a great team for the last 62 years!
Irwin met Lois when she came to Clarinda from Magnolia to teach at the area Lutheran parochial school. Through Luther League the two met and after getting married in 1950 they've been side-by-side ever since.
The Buchs have three children: Brian (along with his wife, Ann), Gordon and Karen and they enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Irwin now farms with Gordon. Irwin always dreamed of farming but that dream was interrupted after high school as he spent 18 months serving his country while deployed in Korea.
Initially on a farm east of town, the Buchs eventually ended up close to Irwin's home place just north of Clarinda across from the state prison and mental health facilities. After teaching, Lois realized another dream as she became a practical nurse, a vocation she enjoyed for 25 years.
As with the drought this year, challenges have been presented to Irwin and Lois along the way, including a twister that took the top off of their house in 1983. Thankfully noone was hurt twenty nine years ago, but the same can't be said for Irwin and Gordon's crops this year as the drought has taken its toll on their corn and soybeans.
Ever optimistic however, Irwin is thankful for whatever yields they will receive. He's projecting somewhere between 80 and 125 bushels per acre but hoping for more in certain areas. So far test weights have been in the 51-52lb. range with around 18% moisture. Irwin says the recent rains will certainly help soybean yields as the pods and beans will be bolstered by the showers.
When he's not spending time with Lois, Iriwn enjoys following his beloved Saint Louis Cardinals and he also plays some golf on occasion. He also loved to coach when his kids were younger.
Faith is extremely important to Irwin and Lois as they remain active at their church, Immanuel Lutheran northwest of Clarinda. They're thankful for those strong spiritual ties, because it was their enduring faith that brought them together all those years ago.
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