Harold Dirks

Harold “Harry” Dirks, age 97, of Marshalltown, passed away peacefully and rejoined his wife Dorothy on the evening of July 24, 2026 at Bickford Cottages in Marshalltown under the care of Iowa River Hospice.

Harold will be laid to rest in Hillsboro, Illinois. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for cremation arrangements. A family-led celebration will be announced in the near future.

Harold Richard Dirks was born December 24, 1928 in Worthington, Minnesota to Diedrick and Mable (Jenkins) Dirks. He attended school in Minnesota through graduation. Harold served in the United States Armed Forces in the newly created United States Air Force and the United States Army National Guard.

Harold met Dorothy Louise Beckham and four days before Christmas in 1951, the two were united in marriage in Hillsboro, Illinois. Harold and Dorothy raised five children, Roger, Gregory, Thomas, Pamela and Daniel.

His career as a Field Engineer for Sperry Univac and later as a Publications Engineer for Monsanto required him and his growing family to relocate to various cities throughout the midwest. In 1970, while working for Monsanto in St. Louis, Harold was asked to move to Marshalltown to join Fisher Controls. Harold retired from Fisher in 1985.

In his free time, Harold was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and built his own airplane and assisted in building airplanes for several pilot friends. Harold also loved to build and fly model airplanes and in his younger years took interest in being a licensed Ham Radio operator. He was also active in the Optimist International Club, Legion of Guardsmen, and American Legion alongside his son Roger.

Left to cherish Harold's memory are his children, Roger A. Dirks of Marshalltown, Gregory (Susan) L. Dirks of Iowa City, Thomas D. Dirks of Mingo and Daniel (Meredith) J. Dirks of Iowa City; grandchildren, April Dirks, Monica Dirks, Eric Dirks, Christopher (Brittani) Dirks, Amanda (Travis) Bloomquist, Aaron (Becca) Dirks, Emily Dirks, Sarah Dirks and Lily Dirks; 10 great-grandchildren; his brother, Dick Dirks; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Dorothy Dirks; daughter, Pamela Dirks; parents, Diedrick and Mable Dirks; and siblings, Joan Gustafson, Rosella Lenz and Robert Dirks.