Rick Lee Dirks, 55, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
He was born March 21, 1959, in Hoisington. The son of Harvey and Ramona
(Palmer) Dirks, he was the fifth of six children. He graduated in 1977, from Hamburg High School in Hamburg, Iowa. He was
an accomplished football, basketball and track athlete during his time
there.
On Aug. 3, 1980, he married the love of his life, Denise Rae Hendrickson
in Hamburg, Iowa. They moved to Hutchinson, Kan., where he worked for
Krause Plow Corporation. He was a faithful employee of Kuhn Krause for
36 years. Rick and Denise raised three children, Chuck, Ashley, and
Andy. He was a devoted grandfather as well to Jaci, Taylee, Bo, Rock and
Ky Smith. He loyally supported them in everything. He was a wonderful
husband. Rick and Denise enjoyed watching sports, traveling to ball
games, watching westerns, and playing with their grandchildren. He was
often found in the back yard pitching a wiffle ball game or shooting bow
with the grandkids. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed primitive archery,
hunting, fishing, trapping, and metal detecting. He looked forward to a
yearly excursion, called Rendezvous, with long-time hunting buddies. He
was a treasured husband, dad, grandpa, son, brother, uncle and friend.
He lived his life selflessly, and gave to others before he thought of
himself. He was humble, patient, dependable, hard-working, tough and
kind. He touched the lives of many and will be forever missed. His
family is thankful for his legacy and looks forward to reuniting with
him in heaven soon.
He is survived by his wife, Denise; and their children and spouses,
Charles and Kacie Dirks of Cimarron, Lee and Ashley Smith of Hutchinson,
Andrew Dirks and fiancé Megan Simmons of Burrton; his mother, Ramona
Dirks of Nebraska City, Neb.; two sisters and two brothers, Diane and
Jim Dillamon of Henderson, Nev., Sandy and Kevin Grundman of Nebraska
City, Neb., Gary and Cheryl Dirks of Marquette, Scott and Sandy Dirks of
Grimes, Iowa; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his
father and a sister, Cori Dirks.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, at Grace Bible
Church, 1221 East 33rd, Hutchinson, with Pastor Travis Heneha and Bishop
Bill Heard presiding. Burial will be in Valley Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with family present from 6 to 8
p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Faith Community Bible
Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501
