Richard “Dick” Dirks, 93, of Akron, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 8, 2022, at Unity Point Health – St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 12, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron. Reverend Eric Alm will officiate. Private family burial with military honors provided by the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 of Akron will be at Riverside Cemetery in Akron. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. There will be a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Friday at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.
Richard Edwin Dirks, the son of Edward and Maude (Richards) Dirks, was born on May 6, 1929, in Akron, Iowa. He attended school in Akron and graduated 2nd in his class from Akron High School in 1947. Getting only a “C” in typing!
He attended Iowa State University. While at ISU, the military started the Navy ROTC program and Dick was an honorary member. During his time at ISU, he was president of Delta Tau Delta and studied the United States Navy and earned his commission to the service. He graduated in 1951, earning his BS in Industrial Economics (Accounting) and a minor in Naval Science. He proud to be honored by the Wallstreet Journal for his accomplishments.
His senior year of college, he married Helen Donnelly on February 24, 1951, in Onawa, Iowa. They were happily married for 70 years. After college graduation, he served his country in the United States Navy. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Kearsarge in Korea. Dick was proud of his time in the Navy and cherished many memories. He was honorably discharged in 1953.
Following his service, he returned to Akron to work with his father and soon became president of Dirks Motor Company from 1954 to 2015. Dick was proudly involved in the auto dealership world.
He was an active member of the Iowa Auto Dealers Association where he served on the board of directors and was President for one year. He also served on the board of directors of Hawkeye Life Insurance Company for many years. He also served nationally. He was on the Chevrolet National Dealer Council in Detroit for several terms, the Chevrolet Regional Dealer Council in Chicago for several terms, and the Ford Motor Company Regional Advertising Board for two terms.
Dick was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron. He was also a member of the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 of Akron. He was a charter member and first president of the Akron Golf Course. Dick loved his family. He and Helen enjoyed traveling. He was an avid fan of the Iowa State Cyclones. He was often found playing a round of golf or playing cards with his buddies.
Survivors include his 4 children: Carla Granstrom of Dakota Dunes, SD, Mary (Mike) Caskey of Akron, IA, Rick (Robin) Dirks of Akron, IA, and David (Ellen) Dirks of Sioux City, IA; his grandchildren: Cary Granstrom (Joe LaFave), Jonathan (Cecilia) Granstrom, Matthew (Becky) Granstrom, Jessica (Justin) Koedam, Ashley (Adam) Hoskins, Kristin (Cain) Radway, Jordan (Braxton) Bursell, Daniel (Erin) Dirks, Joey Manning, Emily (Eric) Lande, and Katie Manning; 20 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren and one on the way; sisters in law: Ruth Bucholtz, Dory Tschantz, Diane Donnelly, and Carol Donnelly; a nephew, Jan DeRoos; and many other nephews, nieces, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his father and mother in law, George and Aldea Donnelly; his wife, Helen Dirks; his granddaughter, Megan Dirks; his sister, Betty (Bill) De Roos; a nephew, Dirk DeRoos; and his in laws: Lawrence (Eileen) Donnelly, Jack (Retha) Donnelly, Darlene (John) Maloney, Joe Donnelly, George Donnelly, and Jack Growbeck.
