Obituary

Kermit Dirks
May 30, 1934 - May 12, 2021

Kermit Dirks

Kermit Dirks
May 30, 1934 - May 12, 2021

Kermit Dirks
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Kermit LeRoy Dirks, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames after a long struggle with dementia and recent heart and respiratory events.

Zoom link for Celebration of Life Service. us02web.zoom.us/j/84723872573?pwd=M21qcXpheUlvZWZpZTE4QzR6Q01hQT09

Meeting ID: 847 2387 2573 Passcode: 647812

Born on May 30, 1934 in Anamosa, Iowa, Kermit was the son of LeRoy and Maurine (Stingley) Dirks. He grew up on the family farm near Center Junction, Iowa, and graduated from Monticello High School and nearby Cornell College with a degree in Geology. While at Cornell he met Gertrude "Trudy" Ludden, his lifelong partner, and they married in June 1956.

After college Kermit briefly worked as a Geophysicist with Tower Exploration in Wyoming, but soon moved back to Iowa to take a job with the Iowa Department of Transportation, where he worked as a Geologist for 39 years until his retirement in 1996.

He was blessed with great mechanical abilities and tackled every broken appliance and car that came his way. Kermit was quiet and would never offer an opinion unless asked, but he was smart and very practical and was sought out by friends and family when they had problems to solve or needed advice. An avid outdoorsman, he took his children and grandchildren on many "adventures", particularly to lakes in northern Minnesota where he loved to fish.

Kermit is survived by his wife Trudy, son Bill (Tammy) and daughters Terri (Leon) Hillers and Kathy (Paul) Gilchrist Simpson: grandchildren Christopher, Patrick and Andrew Hillers, Brian, Scott and Katie Dirks, and Kylie and Ian Gilchrist. He also had 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Keith Dirks, Brad Dirks and Will Dirks, with whom he treasured annual "brothers day reunions".

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Kermit LeRoy Dirks on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at the United Church of Christ in Ames, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm, in the church's Parlor, followed by the service at 2:00. Masks are required at United Church of Christ. A private family inurnment will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, Kermit's family requests that donations in Kermit's memory be made to Trudy Dirks, who will use all donated funds to support Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park and the United Church of Christ.

Online condolence may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com

Al and Mary Jo Talkington on Sep 25, 2021

Trudy, We were so sorry to hear of the loss of Kermit. We remember all the times we would go out for pizza with you all. Sympathy to you and your family. We have been out of touch for some time now, but remember you both very fondly.
Al and Mary Jo Talkington

Pamela Owings Robinson on Aug 25, 2021

Hi Trudy, I was looking at my brother’s obituary and noticed Kermit on the same page. I am so sorry to hear about Kermit, and hope you are doing well. It was good to see those old pictures of you and Bill when you lived around the corner from us. Pam Owings Robinson

Jo Kinrade on May 21, 2021

Our sympathy to you and your family, Trudy. Kermit is at peace now.
Bill and Jo Kinrade

Dale Eilders on May 17, 2021

Kermit took a chance and hired a fellow Geologist in 1979 and I worked for him off an on for a lot of years. I will have memory’s of him for the rest of my days. Prayers for Trudy and the rest of the family with my heart felt sympathy.

Joyce & Harold Templeman on May 16, 2021

We are sorry to read of Kermit’s death and send our heartfelt sympathy to Trudy and family.
Joyce & Harold Templeman

Helen and Colin on May 16, 2021

Sadly, we only met Kermit once, when he and Trudy came to Paul and Kathy's hotel in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate their Golden Wedding.
We remember thinking how happy we were that our son Paul had such nice in-laws.
We always thought we would meet again, but it wasn't to be. We have always kept in touch, and feel sad at his passing.
Trudy and the family are in our hearts and prayers.
Rest in peace Kermit.
Helen and Colin

Tracey (Kottman) Wood on May 16, 2021

I spent many of my childhood years at the Dirks’ home from age 5 onward. Mr. Dirks liked to call Kathy and me the Bobsey twins, enjoying the irony of the nickname because of our different heights. So many dinners, hours spent playing at the Dirks home, sleep-overs and Mr Dirks with his pipe and soft chuckles. I was happy to have spent several hours visiting with Mrs. Dirks and him a month ago. He was able to recall details that made me think he knew me after so many years. He was as close to a second father as I have, and I mourn his loss with Kathy, Terri and Bill.
Tracey (Kottman) Wood

Brian McWaters on May 14, 2021

My room buddy at the DOT for several years who love to smoke his pipe. I made him open the window. Kermit was a true gentleman who rarely got mad or raised his voice and had the knowledge of Iowa roads at his finger tips. Trudy our deepest sympathies to you and the family, he will be truly missed. Brian McWaters

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Visitation

Sep
4
Saturday
United Church of Christ
604 Kellogg Ave.
Ames, Iowa 50010
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM


Service

Sep
4
Saturday
United Church of Christ
604 Kellogg Ave.
Ames, Iowa 50010
2:00 PM


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