Jeffrey " Jeff" Bunch

On Wednesday, 29 July 2026, Jeff Bunch died doing something he passionately enjoyed, leaving behind a life that he passionately loved.

Jeffrey James Bunch was born on 1 April 1971, an April Fool’s baby, which his mom, Lynette (Tarrell) Bunch, never let him forget.  His dad, Jim Bunch, didn’t get too caught up in the birthday stuff, but he did teach Jeff about football, hunting and muskie fishing (not necessarily in that order), which were lessons that Jeff definitely took to heart.

Jeff grew up in Eau Claire, WI, graduated from Memorial High School in 1989, and  followed in his parents’ footsteps by going to college at UW Platteville, where he majored in civil engineering. He further followed in Jim’s footsteps by playing football for the Pioneers. This worked out well, since his beloved grandparents, Darlene and Keith Tarrell, lived in Platteville, and really liked to take him out to eat (and do his laundry).  After graduation from Platteville in 1994, he was hired by TKDA, an engineering firm in the Twin Cities, which was fortunate because he promptly bought his first (but definitely not his last) muskie fishing boat.  Jeff fished…er, worked…for some years at TKDA, before he decided to spread his wings back to his hometown of Eau Claire, where he promptly bought a hunting shack a couple hours away in Winter, Wisconsin.

Fishing boat? Check. Hunting shack? Check.  Next? Finding the right girl.

He found that girl, Elizabeth “Liz” Westby, a family physician in Rochester, MN, and (despite having completely opposite interests, hobbies and political beliefs) by God were they right for each other! They had their first date in April and were married 15 months later on 27 June 2008, which was celebrated by a party that is still legendary. Jeff gave Liz 18 years of absolute joy (and a passion for muskie fishing, which is fair because she gave Jeff a love of travel).  Their happiness was increased by their two amazing kids, Lincoln and Hannah, who are both following in their dad’s footsteps with a love of fishing and hunting and trap shooting.

Jeff loved life.  He loved a “good” beer (or three, while wearing his drinking britches), time around a campfire, fishing on Lake of the Woods (yes, for muskie, what else?), fishing with his buddies from the First Wisconsin Chapter of Muskies, Inc, shooting with his pals from the Pine Island Sportsman Club, and hunting with his kids on their property near Money Creek, MN. What Jeff loved best, though, was time with Liz, Lincoln, Hannah, the adored family dog, Bailey, and extended family and friends at their cabin on Lake Twenty-six in Danbury, Wisconsin.

Jeff is survived by his mom, Lynette Bunch, his sister Kristi Bunch and her children, Damon and Kylii, his great nephews and niece Kaiser, Bayler, and Macey, his Uncle Bob (Karol) Bunch, his (only) cousins Frank and Kevin, and his Aunt Judy (Lewis) Baugh. He is also survived by his in-laws, Connie and Denny Westby, who still remain amazed that he was “on the market” as long as he was. He is also survived by his beloved OCD (the Offspring/Outlaws of Connie and Denny) : brother-in-law Eric and his wife Calley Westby and their kids, Braden, Bryn and Mason, and sister-in-law Sara and her husband Nick Johnson, and their kids Hunter, Colson and Libby.   Finally, Jeff is survived by Liz, the love of his life, and Lincoln and Hannah, the pride and joy of his heart.

We will miss you, oh, so, so much, Jeff, and we know when we hear the loon calls on Lake Twenty-six you are missing us too. We’ll see you again after our last cast.                                                 

A celebration of life will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, 8 August 2026 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN with Rev. Hayden Kvamme officiating. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 to 7:00 PM on Friday 7 August 2026 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and from 9:30 to the time of service at the church on Saturday morning. Burial and a committal service will be held at a later date. Jeff’s family suggests memorials to the First WI Chapter of Muskies Inc. or the Pine Island Sportsmans Club. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Jeff are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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