James "Jim" Britsch

James "Jim" Britsch, father of five, grandfather of ten, and teacher of thousands, died on July 6 surrounded by family at the age of 92.

The youngest of four and a self-described "rascal," Jim was born in Surrey, ND — "a good place to be" as he once said. After his mother, Mabel, passed when he was three, he bounced between living with his older sister, Lois, his father, William, and his Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Smith. He was one of five graduates of the Norma High School class of 1950.

Jim served in the US Army for eighteen months, where he enjoyed driving water trucks and rebuilding bridges in Germany. The German he learned, including "was ist los," meaning "what's happening," became part of his vocabulary for the next 70 years.

After returning from service, Jim worked at the grain elevator managed by his brother Don in the small town of Max, ND, where he met Audrey Huettl. Jim remembers first seeing Audrey while he was playing cards — fitting for two card lovers. The pair wed in December of 1957 and were joyfully married until Audrey's passing in 2012.

Arguably the biggest surprise of their marriage came when Jim and Audrey were having their first child, Jeff. They joked with Jim's brother, Don, that if they had twins, Don and his wife could take the second one. Sure enough, Jeff's twin, Jerry, was hiding for nine months, and Jim and Audrey went home with two babies. Three more children joined the family over the next eight years — Mike, Julie and Amy.

In 1969, Jim and more than 100 teachers went on strike, unhappy with a decreased salary offer from the Minot School District. When they refused to return to work until their demands were met, the teachers were jailed and fired from their jobs.

A biblical 40-day flood caused the court to release the teachers from jail to be pressed into service placing sandbags to divert the floodwaters.

The seven Britsches moved west after Jim interviewed over the phone and accepted an offer from the Lake Oswego School District. Jim taught math at Waluga Junior High until 1994. He was known as a no nonsense teacher, yet was a favorite of many students.

All five of his children went to Oregon State University, so naturally Jim and Audrey were Beaver fans. Coincidentally, the couple were also Beavers as graduates of Minot State Teacher's College.

After retiring, Jim and Audrey volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul and Kaiser. They were active members of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Parish (OLL) and donated their time and resources to their church community.

Jim spent the last six years of his life at The Springs at Wilsonville, where his children came to visit nearly every day. During the pandemic, Jim would stand at his window while his children and grandchildren stood outside and visited with him. He spent his days finishing Sudoku puzzles, watching Gunsmoke and The Andy Griffith Show, and taking strolls around the neighborhood.

The Britsch family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the entire staff of The Springs at Wilsonville for their exceptional and compassionate caregiving.

Jim is reunited with Audrey, his wife of 54 years, and is survived by his children, Jeff (Maria) Bonino-Britsch, Jerry (Barb), Mike (Rebecca Talbott), Julie (Joe) Johnston, Amy (Kevin) McCarthy; grandchildren, Tyler (Rachel) Britsch, Katy (Joe) Church, Kim Britsch; Michael (Martha) Britsch, Claire Bonino-Britsch, Anne Bonino-Britsch; Brendan McCarthy, Colin McCarthy; Aly Johnston, Nate Johnston; and great-grandchildren Adelaide, Henry, Blaise and Audrey Church; Madison and Levi Britsch; Teddy Britsch; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents William and Mabel, his sister Lois Otten, and his brothers Donald and Robert.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will take place on July 22 at 7 p.m. and the funeral Mass will be held on July 23 at 11 a.m. Both will take place at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Lake Oswego.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the OLL chapter of St. Vincent de Paul at https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/PS-957