Diercks, R. Michael (1954-2011)
DIERCKS, HAMMOND, MCGOWAN, BAKER, DARE, ANDERSON, NELSON, KRAMER, PETERSON
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/26/2011 at 18:14:00
R. Michael Diercks
January 27, 1954 - February 18, 2011Friday, February 25, 2011
Robert Michael Diercks, 57, Storm Lake, died Friday, February 18, 2011, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha from complications of a stroke.
Mike Diercks was born January 27, 1954, to Claire (Hammond) and John P. Diercks in Greenville, South Carolina. The family moved for a short time to New York before eventually settling in Indianapolis. They moved to Storm Lake in 1969 where Mike started his first job by cleaning out service station restrooms around The City Beautiful.
He was graduated from St. Mary's High School in Storm Lake and pursued a business course of study for two years at Buena Vista College.
By 1972, he was selling cars for Rasmussen Ford-Mercury, and in 1981, he bought an interest in the Rasmussen dealership in Cherokee. He managed that business until 1994 and continued working there until 2001 when he joined The Storm Lake Times as sales manager, a position he held until his death.
He volunteered in myriad ways in his community. He was a reserve police officer while living in Alta. He served as president of the Cherokee Area Development Agency, volunteered on the board of the Cherokee Community Theatre and helped found the Cherokee Youth Bowling Association. Mike ran Storm Lake's Star Spangled Spectacular Big Parade for many years, helped organize the veterans memorial project at the Buena Vista County Courthouse, was an active member of the Storm Lake United Ambassadors and Retail Committee, was a past president of the Alta Kiwanis, was active in the Iowa Auto Dealers Association and the Iowa Newspaper Association.
He was a "fantastic father," his two sons agree, a grandfather, a husband, employee, crew chief and life coach for all who knew him, a friend like no other. He had the ability to make deep and sincere connections almost immediately upon introduction. His ever-optimistic and infectious smile was hard to resist.
Mike is survived by his wife, Linda (McGowan), his high school sweetheart; his sons, R. Allen (Amy) Diercks, of Marion, and their children, Alena, R. Brady, R. Matthew, Michael and another to be announced in August; and R. Andrew (Makala) Diercks, and their children, R. Alexander and Mekena. He also is survived by his siblings: Judith Claire (Robert) Baker, Mary Jo (Steve) Dare, John (Joan) Diercks and Dan (Becky) Diercks; a brother-in-law, Victor Anderson; his in-laws, Sandy, (Charlie) Nelson, Nancy (Kole) Kramer, and Teresa (Tim) Peterson; and a godchild, Nichole Kramer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Claire, and his sister, Kate.
Memorials may be sent to Linda Diercks in care of The Storm Lake Times, PO Box 487, Storm Lake, IA 50588.
A visitation was held Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at the Elks Lodge from 4-8 p.m. where Mike had served as Exalted Ruler. A memorial Mass was offered Wednesday, February 23, 2011, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake with Rev. Jeremy Wind as principal celebrant and Rev. James Smith as concelebrant.
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