uque, then Loras College, Dubuque, followed by Mt. St. Bernard Seminary, Dubuque and finally completed his formal education at St Mary Seminary, Baltimore, MD. He was ordained as a priest on May 27, 1971, by Archbishop James J. Byrne. His first assignment in service to the Lord was at St. Joseph, Farley as Associate Pastor and educator. He also faithfully served on the faculty of Beckman High School for a year. Following that, he served as an associate pastor at Holy Ghost Parish, Dubuque; St. Joseph, Marion, and St. Matthew, Cedar Rapids. He became pastor of Ackley/Geneva in 1988. Fr. Keith also served as pastor in parishes including the Tama/Garwin/Belle Plaine/Chelsea Parish, the Blairstown/Newhall/Norway/Van Horne/Watkins Parish, with his final pastorate at Sacred Heart Parish, Monticello. More recently he was resident chaplain at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids and chaplain for the Sisters of Mercy, Sacred Heart Convent, Cedar Rapids. He fully retired from his mission field on July 12, 2016, with a content heart after devoting 46 years of his earthly journey to the Archdiocese of Dubuque.Fr. Keith was well known for his personalized sermons and especially for his very special children's sermon which he joyfully delivered every Christmas Eve while sitting on the floor among the children.Fr. Birch is survived by his long and loving friend,
Lois Verdow, Marion, IA;4 nieces & nephews,
Jennifer (Josh) Vize, Dubuque, IA,
John (Angie) Brashaw, Dubuque, IA,
Ann Brashaw, Arvada, CO
and Andrew (Jenni) Brashaw, Dubuque, IA;
along with many fellow priests, friends and servants.He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Kathy (Paul) Brashaw.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice in the name of Rev. Keith L. Birch.
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