Neil Kirkpatrick 1933-2003

KIRKPATRICK, GORSETT, BERGSTROM

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/25/2008 at 00:16:08

Sioux City Journal
16 April 2003

CASTANA, Iowa -- Walter Neil Kirkpatrick passed from this life at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2003, at his home near Castana following a lengthy illness. Loved ones and dear friends were present at the time of his death.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Ingeman Lutheran Church near Moorhead, Iowa, with the Rev. Brian Kinney officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa.

Neil was born Aug. 6, 1933, in Sergeant Bluff, to Walter A. and Isabelle (Gorsett) Kirkpatrick. As a young man, he fell in love with Peggy Bergstrom and they were married on Jan. 15, 1955. To this union four children were born, Larry Kirkpatrick married to Becky Kirkpatrick of Onawa, Alice married to Dave Archer of Moorhead, Kim Kirkpatrick married to Stuart Miller of York, England, and Heather Graves engaged to Jim Gardes of Solon, Iowa. He was a loving grandfather of 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Schadra, Billy, Brandie, Lucas, Erica, Kris, Becca, Pat, Nikki, Sam, Jessie, Eli, Emery, Livy and Brieanna. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life.

He loved his work as a carpenter. He got his start in the late 1950s and formed Kirkpatrick Construction in 1968. He left his mark on Monona County, Iowa, in many varied fashions, from building specialty items to remodeling and building homes. All of his projects were unique. Some of his most memorable accomplishments include a home that he built for Julie Dittman, building an office for the Locator for John Holmes Publishing and designing and building the gazebo at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa. The passive solar home built for Byron and Sharon Thelander was so extraordinary that it warranted a visit from then-Gov. Terry Branstad.

During the 1970s, he built all but one of the houses along the west side of the Loess Hill northeast of Turin, Iowa. The last home that he built was for Ron and Connie Christiansen of Castana. Over the years, many of his customers became dear and cherished friends.

In his spare time, he enjoyed bird watching, hiking, photography, camping and canoeing. He collected trains and clocks, many of which he built or restored himself. Though he built many specialty items for his clients, he also enjoyed woodworking as a hobby and was considered an artist by many.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy; his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his siblings, Marilyn Palmer of Washta, Iowa, Sharon (Tom) Doizaki of Denver, Colo., Danny (Gloria) Kirkpatrick of Garland, Texas, and Terry Kirkpatrick of Castana; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; an infant sister; an infant brother; a younger brother, Sandy; a son-in-law, Tony Funkhouser; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Walter and Effie Bergstrom.

Words can't lend sufficient justice in summarizing the 70 years of history that was Neil's life. He touched the lives of everyone he met and was thought of as a father figure by many. This was a role that he took to naturally. He was a dignified man who was widely admired and respected in the community. Honesty was a quality that he took to heart and practiced in each and every aspect of his life. The morals and values that he instilled in his family will live on forever. He will be loved and missed by all who knew him.